A MAN who spent £1,000 building a fence to stop children from climbing a horse chestnut tree in his garden to get conkers, must wait to see if he has to pull it down.

Barry Cook of Ashton Road, Newton-le-Willows, replaced an old, unstable wall which stood about two or three feet, with the 7ft concrete fence - but omitted to apply for planning permission.

And at a meeting of St Helens Council's Planning Committee it was decided to defer any decision on the fence until after a proposed site visit on Tuesday, October 28.

Mr Cook told the Star: "My wife and I moved in to the property 10 years ago and every year we have had problems with children clambering into the garden during the conker season. We believed that the existing wall which formed the boundary of the garden was unsafe and decided to replace it with concrete panels, which would also prevent the children from getting in and climbing the horse chestnut.

"In the light of the two recent tragedies involving children climbing horse chestnut trees for conkers, I think our decision was a responsible one.

"I was not aware when I had the fence erected that I would have to have planning permission because it was over a certain height. I am waiting to hear from the council and have been considering a number of alternatives if they decide I can't keep the existing fence."

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