A DAD has been ordered to tear down his “oppressive” and “overbearing” 10ft-high fence because it’s “too dangerous”.

But neighbours have backed the dad’s plight, after he argued he put it in place outside his home in Longton in 2022 to protect his young family from a “dangerous and crime riddled” area.

6

6

Advertisement

6

6

The illegally erected wooden barrier, which stands half the height of the house and dwarves pedestrians walking by, is now subject to enforcement action.

Whilst the householder declined to discuss the fence row, locals rallied around to support his action and branded the council “ridiculous, uncaring and bureaucratic”.

The dad lives in the large house in Longton, near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with his wife, young daughter and dog.

He put up the tan panelled fence in 2022 to replace a smaller one and a hedge.

It requires planning permission as it is over a metre height but the householder said he had “no idea” consent was needed.

He put it up at the front of his property on busy Trentham Road, a residential street with rows of shops and small businesses.

He told planners on Stoke-on-Trent City Council he had done so “for the safety of his family”.

But they insist he has to remove it, fearing it could set a precedent with residents taking that “as a free-for-all to put up whatever they wish”.

Locals have hit out at the council for being “so petty”, with hair salon boss Kimberley Grocott, saying: “Who knows what height a fence should be and if it needs planning permission?

“Planners are being ridiculous and very uncaring.

“As a mum of three, and if I was living at that house on a very busy road, I think the fence height is fine. It gives the family privacy.”

Kimberley, 33, who runs KG Hair, which is opposite the semi detached home, told The Sun: “This area is dangerous and crime riddled.

“I don’s see what the issue is. The fence is the same height as the bush at the next door house.”

Kimberley, who revealed she had been the victim of a terrifying attempted armed robbery at her salon in January, added: “Residents and businesses owners must be allowed to protect their properties.

“The council is being so petty.

“The house has a front and back garden and faces the main road. As well as extra protection it gives them protection.

“If the parents are sunbathing in the summer or their kid is running around naked it gives them privacy.”

Kimberly told how a masked raider had entered her premises, while she was tending a client, threatening her at knife point while demanding cash.

She heroically calmed the situation, and he fled.

The 49-year-old local man was later arrested, charged and jailed for six years for armed robbery.

“With the crime going on here everyone is trying to install more security measures,” she added.

Councillors had acted after a complaint from a neighbour about the illegal and “unauthorised” fence which had been erected to replace a lower hedge previously bordering the property.

The fence is three times the height of a legal fence but no planning application was submitted.

Following the sole complaint, the householder submitted a retrospective planning application for a smaller 2.3m fence was but this was subsequently rejected by the authority.

They have now approved enforcement action to remove the fence in line with their officers’ recommendation, who declared it “overbearing in nature and does not relate well to the prevailing character or context of the area” and said that it creates an ‘’oppressive means of enclosure”.

The planning committee had been told that the property owner had erected the fence “for the safety of his family” and did not realise it needed planning consent.

But many locals disagree with the planners’ decision.

A local businesswoman said: “The higher the fence the better.

“The crime rate around here is horrendous and the home owners, who have a young child, want to make sure that no one climbs over into their grounds.

“There is nothing wrong with that fence!”

She added: “Planners are being too bureaucratic. What is the issue? It is the same height as the neighbour’s front hedge and that isn’t being ripped down.”

Her colleague added: “Good on him for putting up a high fence! The only thing i would say is that is could do with a lick of pain or varnish.”

She said: “The rate of crime around here is getting worse. Gangs are walking around the streets in a threatening manner and young lads are being abusive and kicking in doors.”

Cafe owner Susan Brunt said: “The council has rules and regulations but the family has put up a high fence to protect themselves.

“At first when I saw it I thought ‘it’s a little bit high’ but then I got that they had done it for security measures and privacy, and there is nothing wrong with that.”

Her assistant added: “I don’t blame them for having a high fence. The place is full of druggies and burglars.

“Just recently a thief stole a woman’s car which she had left running with her little girl in the back. He drove off in it with the child.”

Retired HGV driver and neighbour Stephen Amison said: “I’ve got no worries with the height of that fence, and I hadn’t even noticed.

“But looking it at I don’t think it is too high. You can never be too safe on a main road.

“I’m 5 feet 10 inches and it is way taller that me but that’s a good thing.

“There’s so much crime, you hear the police sirens going off 25 times a day.”

Planners ruled that not taking action against a clear breach of planning rules would set a dangerous precedent.

Councillor Ross Irving said: “I think it’s pretty clear that we’ve got a duty to uphold what the regulations stipulate.

“This is clearly a breach of those regulations, and I think we have a duty to enforce it, because if we don’t, people will take that as a free-for-all to put up whatever they wish.”

“We have planning conditions for a reason. If we don’t take action on this it sends the wrong message out.”

The council will now serve the property owner with an enforcement notice calling for the fence to be removed.

The house holder declined to comment when contacted by the Sun, with the wife saying: “I am very busy and do not feel the need to discuss this matter.”

We have contacted the council for comment.

6

6

Advertisement

A MUM has vowed to spend her People’s Postcode Lottery winnings with her pals and family as she doesn’t want it sitting in the bank.

Angela Plant, of Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, bagged £333,333 along with another neighbour.

5

5

Advertisement

She then immediately swore to go on a spending spree with her partner, family and friends.

Angela said she would stick a “little bit” away but wanted to spread joy with a wish list of treats that includes a string of exotic holidays and a box at the footie for her partner.

She also wants to pay for a Greek wedding for her eldest son, girls’ trips with her closest friends – and even a Florida trip for her first grandchild, not due until December.

The former secure unit nurse said: “This year has been up and down.

“I’m just going to make sure all my close pals and family are looked after.

“You don’t want profit in the bank, you want to go out and spend it.

“We’ll keep a little bit, but you don’t want to save for a rainy day. You’d be bankrupt with the amount of rain we’ve had.”

Angela has no plans to give up her latest job as a companion in an old folk’s home but she is getting to work on her spending.

That includes making sure her eldest lad Jordan and his wife-to-be Anna Ranch have the wedding of their dreams.

She said: “My oldest son is going to get married in Zante in Greece next year. We’ve paid a bit towards the wedding.”

And she grinned: “I suppose I’ll have to pay it all now!”

The couple are also expecting their first child – a little girl – in a few weeks.

Angela said: “We’ve got our first grandchild on the way, and she is going to be spoiled rotten.

“I’ve always, always wanted to be a grandmother. She is due on the 19th of December. We’ll have a really good Christmas.

5

5

Advertisement

5

“It’s important to do things as a family. Good memories last forever.

“I’ve got good memories from the past of going with the children to Florida, so I would like to take my granddaughter there.”

She added: “Andrew’s a Leeds United fan. I might get him a box or a season ticket. He hasn’t missed a home game for about 30 years.”

Angela has caught the travel bug and now wants to see even more of the world.

I’m not one for putting it in the bank.

Angela Plant

She said: “I want to see Japan and China and Singapore.

“I’d like to be able to open a map and say, ‘I’d like to go there and there.’ This opens up so many more opportunities.

“We’ve both worked our socks off and this gives us the chance to do a little bit more. I’m not one for putting it in the bank.”

But Angela’s win is tinged with sadness after losing two friends in the past year.

Now she wants to ensure her other pals are given a much-needed lift.

She said: “I’m going to treat my friends. We’ve all been through so much. I’m very, very lucky to have loads of good friends.

“We’ll have a good time spending some of it.”

How to play the People’s Postcode Lottery?

For just £12 a month, players can sign up through the official website to have a chance of winning millions of pounds.

Once signed up, players are automatically entered into every draw and prizes are announced every day of each month.

Tickets play for the Daily Prize, worth £1000 and revealed every single day.

Tickets could also win a jackpot of £30,000 for Saturday and Sunday’s Street Prize draws.

Advertisement

People’s Postcode Lottery also offers a £3million Postcode Millions draw each month – where your ticket plays for a share of the cash prize fund.

Winners are notified by email, text, post, or phone call, depending on the prize they win.

Jackpot winners are visited by the lottery team in person.

ALDI has announced its latest home fragrances to help interior lovers update scent-scapes for the winter.

With prices starting from £2.99 customers can get their hands on the new collection in the middle aisle from October 17th.

3

3

Advertisement

Described as an “understated option that will look chic in any home”, is the new Quiet Luxury Ceramic Candle, 700g for £8.99.

It’s available in two scents, Cedarwood & Vetiver or Tuberose & Cashmere, with each one said to “evoke warming feelings of calm and serenity”.

Better yet, Aldi says “shoppers can save themselves 87 percent compared to The White Company’s” Ceramic 3 Wick Candle which is priced at a whopping £75.

So, I put them to the test.

Could we really call Aldi’s candle a dupe of The White Company’s?

Aldi’s Quiet Luxury Ceramic Candle

First impressions – it’s chic, it looks expensive.

It comes in a gorgeous stone vessel and I love the engraved Hotel Collection logo on the side, and the name of scent on the lid. Speaking of the lid, it has a rubber seal around it so it traps the scent.

One thing I’ve found with Aldi candles is the scents can be overpowering if there isn’t a lid, but this does the job perfectly.

Onto the scent…Cedarwood and Vetiver.

Cedarwood is an essential oil from various types of conifers aka trees. It is produced from the foliage, and sometimes the wood, roots, and stumps left after logging of trees for timber. It’s typically referred to as quite a musky, masculine smell.

Vetiver, on the other hand – which I have never heard of – is a grass. It has a similar fragrance to lemongrass and citronella.

Aldi’s candle is a cross between dark, musky, woody and fresh lemon, or as I so politely described it as ‘musky lemon dish soap’.

The scent is not my cup of tea personally, however, my boyfriend said it smelt similar to his aftershave, and he really liked it.

As for how well it burnt, getting the wicks to light was a challenge. I used extra long matches and by the time I was on the third wick, the match had nearly run out.

The wicks were really long and thin to begin with, so the flames were smaller meaning the amount of wax burnt was a lot less.

I burnt the candle for two hours – note, the label recommends not letting the candle burn for more than four hours at a time – and around a cm of wax had melted. With a 70 hours burn time (approx), the candle will last a few months if you burnt it every evening.

It was quite strong, filling the room very obviously with the fragrance.

3

The White Company’s Ceramic 3 Wick Candle

The White Company’s packaging is just next level – the candle comes in a gorgeous branded box with the lid and vessel securely wrapped.

The vessel is made from smooth bone china, which The White Company says can be reused after the wax has finished.

But the lid doesn’t have a rubber seal, and I quickly noticed the china can mark easily.

The Ceramic 3 Wick Candle comes in several fragrances – Nourish, Calm, Spa Restore, and Sleep. I tried Nourish.

The scent description read “soft and comforting” and the scent notes were Oat, Bergamot and Amber.

Made using the “highest quality mineral wax” – a coconut and paraffin blend – the candle is said to have “soft creamy scent notes of oat and barley combined with bright bergamot and lemon, plus warming amber”.

Customers should be able to “picture the gentle sway of a warm, sunlit wheat field lightly brushed with a fresh citrus breeze” when the scent fills the room.

So when I lit the candle, was I transported to a wheat field surrounded by a citrus breeze? No.

But I was transported to a luxurious seaside beach house bedroom, with the windows open, and curtains blowing in the fresh sea breeze. That was the visual I got when I smelt the candle.

It’s creamy, with a subtle hint of lemon – very spring-like. Very luxurious.

As for how well it burnt – you can tell this is a well-made candle.

The wicks are thick, meaning the flames are larger so more surface area of the candle burns evenly, and you won’t be left with three holes and surrounding wax. And it subtly fills the room with fragrance, it doesn’t overpower.

The verdict?

I think Aldi’s Quiet Luxury Ceramic Candle is a really good product inspired by The White Company’s Ceramic 3 Wick Candle.

But I wouldn’t call it a dupe.

Firstly, the scents are very different. So unless they were the exact same fragrance, they can’t be a dupe.

I prefer The White Company’s fragrance, only because I’m not a fan of musky smells, but everyone likes different scents, and I would be eager to smell Aldi’s Tuberose and Cashmere candle.

Secondly, value for money. Aldi’s candle is only £8.99 – and I honestly was doubtful about how good it was going to be, but I was really impressed. It’s a brilliant product at a brilliant price point.

It’s not made from the most luxurious candle wax, and it doesn’t burn 100% of the wax either, but the packaging is gorgeous, and it would make a brilliant present.

The White Company’s, on the other hand, is just pure luxury. You can tell the ingredients used are expensive and it burns really well, so it is worth the price tag. But, The White Company should take note from Aldi – the rubber seal around the lid is a really great feature.

WE all love scrolling through online marketplaces like Vinted, but have you ever considered making cash instead of spending it?

I’m a big fan of buying clothes, but I’m not very good at letting them go when I have no use for them anymore.

4

But with a baby on the way and the need for more storage space and extra cash, I started to wonder how much money I could make by selling my clothes online.

With a growing number of apps and websites for reselling clothes, it is now easier than ever to sell second hand clothes online.

With this in mind, I rummaged through my wardrobe to see what I could part with in the hope of making some extra cash.

Why did I choose Vinted?

Vinted is one of the most popular online marketplaces and you can pick up anything from clothes, shoes, jewellery and homeware.

It first launched in the UK in 2014 but only became a household name after the pandemic ended.

It’s free to sign up and there are no fees for sellers.

Instead, buyers have a small fee added to their purchases, and they pay for postage on top too.

This is what made it an attractive choice for me.

What did I sell and for how much?

I started listing my items for sale on Saturday morning.

This is because members are most active over the weekend, according to Vinted, and I wanted maximum visibility to get things gone quickly.

The first thing I listed was my husband Henry’s Hugo Boss leather jacket that was now too small for him.

The jacket originally cost around £300 several years ago, but it had been barely worn.

As we wanted a quick sale, and based on other items available on Vinted, we decided to list it for £25 and it was snapped up pretty much instantly.

I also sold two mens t-shirts, from Fred Perry and Farah, and got £5 and £2.50 for them respectively.

Among the items I was keen to sell were a Zara silver handbag, a River Island playsuit and a cowboy hat and jumper from bridal website Six Stories.

They had all only be worn once, so I was able to list them as being in very good condition.

They went to four different sellers and I was able to sell them for a total of £35.

I found that Topshop and Topman clothing bought in its high-street heyday sold well on the app.

A pair of women’s embroidered jeans sold for £4.50 and a denim mini dress went for £3.

Meanwhile, a my husband’s skinny jeans sold for £2.

Below is the full list of items I have sold on Vinted so far and how much I got for them:

• Hugh Boss leather jacket – £25
• River Island sequin jumpsuit – £15
• Six Stories bride jumper – £10
• Six Stories bridal cowboy hat with veil – £5
• Vero Moda women’s suede jacket – £5
• River Island silver handbag – £5
• Adidas women’s jumper – £5
• Fred Perty men’s t-shirt – £5
• Men’s Levi’s black jeans – £5
• Topsop embroidered jeans – £4.50
• M&S checkered shirt-jacket – £4.50
• Farah pullover – £4
• All Saints men’s shirt – £4
• Et Vous grey pinafore dress – £4
• Topshop denim mini dress – £3
• Farah t-shirt – £2.50
• Topman skinny jeans – £2
• M&S women’s woolen cap – £2

In total, I have made a whopping £110.50 in the space of a week.

4

4

4

Advertisement

With plenty more clothing items to list, I could be on track to make hundreds of pounds by the end of the month.

It is important to remember that once you have posted your parcel or agreed on a sale the money you made will not go into your account straight away. 

Once the order has arrived to the seller you’ll receive your earnings within two days in your Vinted balance. 

You then have to transfer your earnings from your balance to your bank account.

My top tips for selling on Vinted

When it comes to selling on Vinted there are some important do’s and don’t’s to make sure you’re not wasting your time.

One of the main things to make sure you’re including in each listing is clear images of the item.

This is one of the first things that any potential buyer will see, so the photos of the garment need to be clear and attractive.

What’s in the images is important too.

I recommend using a picture of the whole item initially and then adding more close-up ones after.

Also include photos of the labels and any issues with the item too – it’s important to be upfront.

I have also found that listings that include pictures of the items being worn also help the item to sell faster.

You should also make sure to provide concise, but detailed descriptions.

You don’t need to have essays, but you will want a detailed description, as the more information that you have on your listing the more likely you will attract a buyer.

Make sure that the descriptions are honest and that you only list clothes in good condition as you will want good reviews as this helps others build confidence in you and what you are selling

A good description is made up of a short snappy title and also makes sure to include the brand or shop of the item.

Being accurate with sizing is also important.

You can also put bundle discounts onto your profile.

This means that if a buyer looks to buy more than one thing they can get an extra discount.

What bundle discounts do is entice people to look at your other items to get the discount, meaning you sell more.

I haven’t given this feature a try yet, but I will definitely give them a go in future.

Meanwhile, a shopping expert has revealed the five things to always buy on Vinted and five to avoid.

Plus, two savvy shoppers have revealed how they bought a T-shirt for £2 from a charity shop – but resold it for £220 online.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

HUNDREDS of thousands of pensioners feeling the pinch are failing to claim Pension Credit with around £2billion going unclaimed each year. 

Not only do you miss out on payments averaging of £3,900 each year, but Pension Credit also unlocks further financial help and support worth thousands more.

1

The benefit is designed to help older people on low incomes who may otherwise struggle to manage everyday living costs.

Yet, there are up to an estimated 880,000 households across the UK eligible for Pension Credit who are yet to claim.

The benefit is different and separate from your State Pension.

On top of the cash payments, Pension Credit opens doors to other support, including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.   

It is important to claim if you can so that you can get all the financial help that is available to you.

Who is eligible?

You could be eligible for Pension Credit if you are aged 66 or older and your income is below £218.15 a week if you’re single or £332.95 as a couple – this is known as the ‘guarantee’ part of the credit.

Even if your income is higher, you could claim if you meet other criteria, such as being a carer, having a disability, have extra housing costs such as service charges or have a child or young person living with you. 

If you have more than £10,000 in savings, you could find that your payments may be cut or reduced – but it is still worth applying even if you only get a little extra each week.

You could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, and you saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension.

This is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.

How do I apply?

Applications need to be made on the government website gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling 0800 99 1234. 

You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.

You can also claim by post but you’ll need to download and complete the form from the gov.uk website or call for one to be sent out to you.

You then need to send completed forms to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3.  

When applying you’ll need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments. 

You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age – currently 66. You can claim any time after reaching State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months, making it even more important to claim as soon as you are entitled.

Where can i get help?

The Sun’s Winter Fuel SOS campaign will see a team of experts help answer your queries on energy bills, the Winter Fuel Payment and how to qualify, you can email questions to winterfuelSOS@the-sun.co.uk or call 0800 028 1978.

There are free online benefit calculators that you can use to see how much you might be able to claim and through which benefit including Pension Credit.

Age UK has a free and anonymous Benefits Calculator at benefitscheck.ageuk.org.uk. 

Use Policy in Practice’s calculator to find out which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have leftover each month after paying for housing costs.

Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what means-tested benefits you might be entitled to, as well as whether you qualify for carers allowance.

In England and Wales you can also get in person help through your local Citizens Advice.
Find out more via: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us

Or you can call Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848 in England or 0800 702 2020 in Wales.

What extra help do i get with Pension Credit?

When you claim Pension Credit, you will also qualify for further support including the Winter Fuel Payment.

In total this extra help can add up to an extra £9,665 a year, according to Policy in Practice. 

This includes:

• The Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300 paid automatically each year
• A one-off payment of £150 through the Warm Home Discount Scheme to help with the cost of energy this winter
• A Cold Weather Payment of £25 a week, which is paid automatically when the average temperature is 0°C or below over seven consecutive days
• Housing benefit worth up to £4,338 a year
• Council tax support of £1,670 a year
• Water bill discount of £160 a year
• Cheaper broadband and phone deals worth up to £200 a year
• Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital
• A free TV licence if you’re over-75 worth £175

DON’T be put off by the price of cooking a roast dinner.

There are lots of ways to carve off a juicy saving.

7

Enjoy the traditional British meal for less with these money-saving tips . . . 

SLOWLY DOES IT: Slow cookers cost just pennies to run and are perfect for cheaper cuts of meat such as beef brisket or pork shoulder.

Seal the meat in a frying pan, add to the slow cooker with some veg and stock and then just leave to bubble gently for the day.

MEAT TREAT: When it comes to choosing your roasting joint, a large chicken usually works out the best value, followed by pork.

Look at the price per kilo in order to work out which will give you the most meat for the least money.

A roast can also work out much cheaper than buying individual cuts.

An extra-large chicken is currently £5.25 with a Tesco Clubcard, which is £2.76 a kilo, while if you buy a pack of chicken breasts they work out at least £5.79 per kilo.

AIR TIME: Cook your roast potatoes in an air-fryer, if you have one.

They’ll cook even more quickly, using less energy, if cut up small.

Parboil then spray with oil before cooking to perfection in under 30 minutes.

NICE AND FREEZY: Keep bags of frozen vegetables in the freezer for cheap and easy side dishes.

Have a bag of cauliflower or broccoli on ice for a tasty gratin with cheese sauce, along with frozen peas and sweetcorn.

If you want to cook from fresh, carrots and cabbage are the best value.

LOVELY LEFTOVER: A roast dinner keeps on giving.

Use leftover meat in stir-fries or Mexican-style wraps.

Fry uneaten potatoes and veg for bubble and squeak or a tasty hash.

Add some chilli sauce and an egg for a whole new meal.

Turn chicken bones and scraps into stock and soup.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

7

GET 30 per cent off the Ickle Bubba Venus Max jogger stroller at Argos, £188.30 with the code RED30.

Normal price is £269.

SAVE: £80.70

Cheap treat

7

BUY two selected packs of Morrisons biscuits for £1.20, including choc-chip cookies that are 85p for a single pack.

SAVE: 50p on two

What’s new?

BEEFEATER will treat 50,000 diners to a free 8oz rump steak to celebrate its 50th birthday, when you buy another main meal.

Claim the deal at offers.beefeater. co.uk/50-years

Top swap

7

7

Advertisement

HOLD make-up in place with charlottetilbury.com’s Airbrush flawless setting spray, £32.

Or try Face Facts weightless setting spray, £4 in store at The Original Factory Shop or online as a £10 bundle with two other products.

SAVE: £28

Shop & save

7

CO-OP Members can pick up a selection of five frozen items for £5, including Birds Eye wholegrain nuggets and McCain oven chips, 750g.

Non-members pay £6.

SAVE: Up to £8.65

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

7

Advertisement

JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!