Widow told to apply for permission for garden planter over privacy row

Jane's raised bed was 'eyesore'

- By Tom Bevan

GARDENER Jane Higgins was engulfed in a planning row after a neighbour claimed that her tending a raised bed invaded their privacy.

Jane's 23ft wooden planter in the front garden is her pride and joy.

But a neighbour complained and the 74-year-old widow was told she must obtain retrospective planning permission for the structure.

The sole objector argued that Jane's trough overshadowed their privacy because "the neighbour spends hours attending to their plants".

Architect

They also said its construction "caused disruption" to street parking when it was installed in April, called the bed a "hideous eyesore" and claimed it had become a "haven for cats" who use it as a litter tray and fight noisily at night.