Erection Of Fence Without Planning Permission.

[branca]

I erected a fence over 4 years ago without planning permission, that was my fault & my mistake. In May 2016 the council served notice. They accept the fence has been up for 4 years & is governed by the 4 year rule, but still want proof of the date it was erected & said an invoice and/or photos would be good. I provided them with the invoice & a date stamped photo, taken on my Blackberry, the day the fence was erected.
They have refused the invoice, written on the job when fence was completed, because although it has my name on it, it does not have the address. It does have a description of the fence & it's measurements, unbelievably they say the invoice could represent, for example, the building of of a different fence in a farmer's field!!!!!!
They will not accept the dated photo saying that I could have fiddled the date, August 2012, by messing with my Blackberry. I have sent them the properties folder, from the phone, detailing when the photo was taken, but they still will not accept it. They are now saying I need to go to a solicitor to have a sworn affidavit competed - any advice appreciated.

[woofgang]

commissioner for oaths, 5 quid
http://www.commissionerofoaths.co.uk/page4.htm

[branca]

Planning is required, that's why because we didn't get it, we are having to go through this rigmarole, & if the fence had been up less than 4 years the council would have issued an enforcement order to reduce the height to 1 metre, as I said it's only for the fact that it has been up over 4 years the council are snookered & now obviously playing silly *** over the evidence.

Based on what has been posted, I will have to checkout sworn affidavit
fees.

Thanks for replies...

[Eve]

The difference in the fees quoted is, as Barmaid said, the difference between the solicitor actually drafting the affidavit for you or just doing the swear for an already drafted affidavit.

[bednobs]

"They had to pay approx £200 for a certificate that, should they sell the house, gives the new occupants evidence that the council have agreed to the fence".
well as the council havent given permission, why on earth did they pay 200 quid for a certificate to say they did??? If they indeed do have a certificte from the council, then why this question?

[beso]

Google Maps Street View?

[TWR]

How long has your next door neighbours been there Bran? if they have been there when the fence was put up would they confirm that in writing?