Over Hulton couple challenge Peel Land fence ‘enforcement’

David and Denise Hopwood, of Duchy Avenue in Over Hulton, were given 14 days by Peel Land to clear the structures from a strip of land next to their property.

Now the couple instructed solicitors to challenge the decision.

The dispute centres on land the couple say they have maintained for around eight years, after contacting Peel in 2019 about looking after the area.

The fence sits adjacent to the couples property (Image: NQ)

Mr Hopwood said they were not explicitly given permission to install structures but believed they had approval to maintain the land, and had offered to pay for a licence at the time.

Over the years, the couple installed a small fence and planter features, which they say improved the appearance of the land and helped prevent anti-social behaviour.

A planter that has been removed as a consequence of Peel’s enforcement (Image: NQ)

David said: “We don’t want their land, we just wanted to keep it tidy and make it look nice.

“It had previously been overgrown and attracting anti-social problems.”

Peel later issued an enforcement notice, stating the structures were unauthorised and must be removed, with the land returned to its previous condition.

David said he has since taken down the fence panels, planters and ornaments, leaving only some posts and base boards in place.

He said: “I really want to win, but I’m not holding out hope.

“I’m simply taking a one-time stab at this — I can’t plough money into it.

He added that if allowed to keep the land as it is, the couple would be willing to pay a licence fee and continue maintaining it.

David said he also pointed out that other nearby residents had made informal use of the land, including placing boulders and creating a small memorial for a neighbour who had passed.