I WON my fight to keep the ‘ugliest decking in Britain’ – the 44ft terrace I paid £6,000 will protect my kids’ privacy
A DAD has saved his 44ft-long garden decking from being destroyed after it was branded the worst in Britain.
Jamie Davies, 38, made an emotional appeal for retrospective planning permission, arguing it gave his children privacy from eight neighbouring properties overlooking the garden.
He was previously denied permission because it towered over the street in Blania, South Wales.
Sports centre manager Jamie said: "Imagine feeling uncomfortable in your own home, a place which should be a safe haven.
“Landscaping has already been underway and is enhanced by the planting of shrubs and trees which has provided an effective screen.”
He scaled the decking back by 60 per cent and said a similar project had been approved 50metres from his home.
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Cllr Peter Baldwin said: “This is down to visual impact most of that estate is built on a mountainside, he’s done all he can, there’s no objections, it’s not impacting anyone I would recommend we pass this.”
Mr Davies beamed today: "We're going to have a blow-out family barbecue as soon as it's finished and the Champagne will be flowing freely.
"It might not be until next summer now, but we can wait a bit longer.
"The main thing is we've now got somewhere safe for the kids to play."
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Councillors agreed to approve the plans but said Mr Davies must discuss which trees he plans to plant with planning inspectors.
It comes two years after Jamie first applied for back-dated permission for the £6,000 decking and was refused.
He said the decking had been put up to give "privacy for the children while they play."
He looked set to be denied permission once again when planning officer Joanne White said it should be refused.
She said in a report: “The application is not significantly different to that previously refused by planning committee and the planning inspector.
“The decking to be retained sits along the rear side boundary, fronting the road.
“The dwelling occupies a corner plot within the estate commonly known as ‘Tanglewood’ in Blaina.
“The topography is such that Tanglewood Drive rises steeply from west to east.
“Thus, the adjacent property at Tanglewood Drive is at a significantly lower level than the application site property."
Ms White said there are “other ways” to increase the usable space of the garden.
She added: "I do not consider this is a reason in which to allow an unacceptable development.”
Ms White said that planning permission should be refused as it would be “an unduly dominant feature" that has an adverse visual “impact upon the street scene.”
Garden decking became popular from the late 1990's - with makeover show Ground Force getting the blame for the boom.
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Retailer B&Q reported an increase in sales of the lawn alternative from £5,000 in 1997 to a staggering £16million in 2001.
Presenter Alan Titchmarsh apologised for the lawn cover-up - saying at the time: "I am sorry, I know it's everywhere these days."
