Permission to build a two metre high railing around two detached houses in Rickmansworth has been granted by Three Rivers District Council.

Existing 1920s houses in The Drive were demolished in order to build two new houses, despite objection from neighbours.

Now the developer has been granted permission to build a brick and fence boundary around the properties in order to keep out stray dogs and to secure the site.

Rickmansworth ward councillor Paula Hiscocks said: “The applicant claims to need these fences 'to keep out stray dogs and for security'.

“I have never seen a stray dog in The Drive and in terms of security, this is a residential development in Rickmansworth, not central London.”

Diane Bruce, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said: “Nobody wanted these two houses in the first place, and it was agreed in the application to keep them as green as possible.

“This is the highest and longest railing at 48 feet, and the ugliness of it is completely undesirable. This will set a precedent for the area.”

Chairman of the development and control meeting, Geoffrey Dunne, granted permission for the fence at this evening's meeting.

Leader of the council Ann Shaw said: “I deplore these horrible arrangements where people turn their houses into cages, but this isn't a conservation area, so how are we supposed to refuse it?”