A long section of fence in Kenilworth may have to be removed after district planners said it was "incongruous" and "harmful" to the local area.

Some 156 metres of fence around a patch of land on Crewe Lane was installed in 2022, with a retrospective planning application for it recently submitted to Warwick District Council (WDC).

The plans also included a further 86 metres of metal fencing, all of which would be 1.8 metres high.

Put forward by 'Premier Garden Centre', the scheme said the fence was for security reasons to surround a patch of land which could be turned into a garden centre and nursery.

The patch of wooded land - referred to as Kenilworth Arboretum - is opposite Kenilworth Golf Club and next to the 99 homes being built by Miller Homes, and the much bigger 640-house development on Crewe Lane.

When district planners said some of the fencing was appropriate, they ultimately decided to refuse the part-retrospective application.

The extent of the boundary for the fence (image via planning application)

"The fence with its substantial overall length and height and materials would give it a harsh urban and industrial appearance that is out of character with the design and appearance and visual quality of the site and immediate locality," a WDC report said. 

"The fencing is therefore not considered to visually integrate with the site or Crewe Lane. 

"Furthermore, it is not considered that painting or a powder coated dark green finish would significantly offset the adverse visual impact identified. 

"Consequently, the part retention and installation of fencing along Crewe Lane is considered to be visually prominent and as such is considered to be incongruous and is considered to have led to a harmful erosion of the established character and appearance of the surrounding area."

The applicant has the right to appeal the decision.

See the full application here.