Guwahati, Jan 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has stepped up the supply of essentials, food grains, fertiliser, transport fuel, coal and other items to the mountainous northeastern states, including the trouble-torn Manipur, officials...
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A COUPLE have likened their garden to “Colditz” after their neighbour put up a three-metre spiked fence around her property for “privacy” – just two months after moving in.
Alison and Ian Lawrence said the “hideous” structure surrounding Deborah Olthof’s home was constructed without permission and has “ruined” their garden – which they recently spent £20,000 on to landscape.
After putting in a retrospective application, the local authority have allowed real estate managing director Ms Olthof – who moved to the coastal town last Spring – to keep the fence, a move which Mrs Lawrence, 58, branded “soul destroying”.
The business owner and her husband, 71, have now slammed the local council in New Milton, Hants, for showing “no regard to the detriment of our property” – said they will escalate the matter “as far” as they can.
Ms Olthof moved into her £640,000 four-bed home in April of last year and built the spiked fence some two months later.
While there was previously a fence in the rear garden, this has been “grossly heightened” by Ms Olthof as part of her works – and is now “in excess” of three metres, according to her neighbour.
Mrs Lawrence, a mother of three adult children, said since it was constructed, the fence has caused “major problems” as it “overshadows the garden”.
“It’s ruined our property,” she said.
“If we wanted to sell our property, I don’t know of anybody that would want to buy it seeing that fence like that.”
The fence surrounding the detached house is lined with small plastic spikes which are often used as “pest control” to stop cats from entering, or leaving, the property.
Mrs Lawrence said the fence is “so high” that they can’t “manage” the guttering on the house – as they are unable to get a ladder in the narrow gap between their roof and the high timber fence.
“It’s actually in line with the beginning of our roof,” she said.
In October, Ms Olthof sought retrospective planning permission to keep the fence which was granted by New Forest District Council in November.
Mrs Lawrence said this was despite the local New Milton authority writing a letter of objection to the authority saying the fence is “unsightly, unneighbourly and over dominant”.
Of the decision, the homeowner – who also moved to the New Forest last year – said: “We don’t think that anybody did their jobs properly.”
The business owner said the neighbour “got everything” and slammed the council for paying “no regard to the detriment of our property”.
“There’s no regard to our objections at all and they were within all the guidelines,” she said.
“I can’t believe that anybody would approve a fence of that magnitude – it’s hideous.
“They just allowed it to go through.”
She claimed the council took “the path of least resistance” so they wouldn’t have to dip into their budget by carrying out enforcement.
Colditz is a castle near Leipzig in Germany, and over the river Zwickauer Mulde – and was most famously used as a POW camp in WW2.
It was first mentioned in a historical document in 1046, but wasn’t built into a proper castle until around 1084.
Colditz – constructed by the electors of Saxony as a demonstration of power – was first destroyed by The Hussites in 1429.
It was rebuilt at the end of the following century in the Renaissance style and experienced a second heydey under Christian I and his wife Sophie of Brandenburg.
By the 19th century it had become a workhouse and then a state institute for the mentally ill.
Between 1939 and 1945 the castle was used as a prisoner of war camp for allied officers during World War II.
Colditz is currently a youth hostel and tourist attraction.
Mrs Lawrence said a council officer even likened it to Colditz, a former royal residence in Germany that became a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II.
“It’s a mix of Colditz and like we’re living by the motorway – we’re completely penned out,” she said.
She said despite feeling as if “there’s nothing that we can actually do” – she plans on taking the matter “as far as I can”.
“There’s got to be some course of regress, some course of fairness,” she said.
“I hoped that we could reach a compromise with the fencing, we didn’t want to have a neighbour that we fall out with but it’s really unreasonable.”
The homeowners also complained about the fence installed at front of the property – which has proven to be a “hazard” for them when reversing onto their busy road.
This is because the structure at the front makes it difficult for them to see approaching traffic.
In her public objection, Mrs Lawrence wrote: “We understood that the fence was erected to give more privacy and also for safety reasons for the applicant but since the fence adjoins an area of decking in her garden which has artificially raised the height between the two properties, we have to suffer the applicant looking down into our garden lending no privacy to us.”
The homeowner said the application is “in breach of national planning policies”.
After feeling completely ignored by the local authority, they said they are now set to report the matter to the Government ombudsman.
The New Forest District Council approved the fence and said that Ms Olthof’s garden has decking which creates a ‘high boundary treatment’.
They said that while it does have “some impact” on the Lawrences property, these to not “warrant a refusal”.
Ms Olthof was approached for comment.
She said she does have planning permission for the fence and said the council were satisfied with all aspects of it, including the height.
And, she noted that her house is on a higher plot – which was taken into consideration by the council.
New Forest District Council said: “The design and impact of the fence on the area and neighbours were carefully assessed.
“Complaints will be handled by the development management service manager as per our corporate complaints procedure, details of which are on our website.
“There is no right of appeal against this planning decision.
“If the neighbour remains dissatisfied after our complaint process, the matter could be referred to the Local Government Ombudsman.”
На думку вчених, ймовірність захворіти на рак істотно збільшується після 40 років. Вони назвали правила, дотримуючись яких цей ризик можна зменшити. Європейські фахівці стверджують, що до 50% ракових пухлин можна запобігти, слідуючи певним установкам. Розвиток онкозахворювань провокують фактори, яких можна уникнути, підкреслюють фахівці. Що ж все-таки потрібно робити для того, щоб зменшити ризик онкології в […]
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OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died last year but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.
Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.
ARIES
March 21 to April 20
Uranus could make mischief in your money sector – and spin outrageous ideas.
As long as you keep your head, and put in the right research, you can find a way forward.
Doing what everyone expects you to do, in love and life, is no longer the only option, and this inspires a sense of personal freedom that is priceless.
Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions.
TAURUS
April 21 to May 21
Giving a friend or family member another chance can be the strong approach.
It’s important that you think this through properly, so do ask for more time if you need it.
Together, Neptune and the moon increase your sixth sense for who and what you really need – and how you can find ways to get this.
GEMINI
Swopping dreams for reality, in cash terms, is what Mars asks of you.
If you know you’ve been clinging too long to an empty promise, let this go and find something richer.
But you do need to be specific and pinpoint exact prices and costs.
Passion heads up, up and away and an airline job can be your clue.
CANCER
June 22 to July 22
Your star skill is the ability to inspire others so if you have something to say, do get it out there as soon as you can.
Your internal voice, also, is crucial, as until you tell yourself you deserve happiness, it may feel hard to hold on to.
Eyes that first meet yours in a reflection, can belong to your fate mate.
Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LEO
July 23 to August 23
The pace of success is something to consider as Mars and Uranus try to hurry you up.
But if you are not ready, you can control this.
Cutting corners is not right at this time.
Mercury’s communication skills are growing stronger in your career chart, and you write about yourself with flair and finesse.
Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
VIRGO
August 24 to September 22
Your marriage zone is Venus-led and partnerships at benefit from this.
You can see forgiving, and forgetting, getting easier – but you have a line around your own heart you refuse to cross.
So bonds that have seemed unable to bend, can become more flexible.
Single? The One leads a nature-based team.
Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LIBRA
September 23 to October 23
The boldness of Mars and the thoughtfulness of the moon mingle and this is why you are ready to tell important people the truth.
Facts you may have been hiding, are ready to be revealed – including making the first move to connect with “M”.
Don’t be too independent to accept an offer of work help.
Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
The traditional dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below.
SCORPIO
October 24 to November 22
An unexpected role as the diplomat of the zodiac can fall to you – so you find yourself in the middle of family, friendship, love and workplace conflicts.
Your ability to maintain all-round contact, is something to consider taking towards a career shift.
Your love life is lively, and promises can appear out of the blue.
Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
SAGITTARIUS
November 23 to December 21
Mercury and money are a positive mix, and it’s one you have for a couple of weeks now.
So instead of putting off those cash choices, you can get them moving.
But do beware of seeing only money when you look at someone close.
Your passion profile is security plus sensuality – just wow!
Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
CAPRICORN
December 22 to January 20
Creative ideas abound but Uranus could dazzle with success and celebrity, rather than keeping your eyes on the practical prize.
Fight this by keeping your Mercury head, plus your Saturn ability to ask for anything.
As for love, connections go much further than skin deep, and a two-part question can prove it.
Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
AQUARIUS
January 21 to February 18
The sun wakes up your deepest wishes, while Jupiter’s golden influence focuses on impulsive words and actions.
Together, this can make for a day of unexpected meetings, and questions – but you should never feel out of control.
Love can benefit, because instead of watching, you just start asking.
Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
PISCES
February 19 to March 20
Neptune’s web of sensitive feelings enfolds your heart, while the moon intensifies intuition so you know what to say.
This is a powerful passion protector, helping you clarify where a partnership needs to go next.
If you start the day single, someone who shares your birth week, and at least one initial, can be your soulmate.
Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
Rachel Reeves’ tax raid on business is already flattening job opportunities, with the sharpest fall in vacancies since the Covid pandemic.
The Chancellor was warned her Budget had made employees more expensive and businesses would have no choice but to cut staff and stop hiring.
And fresh figures today show bosses have wasted no time in pulling permanent recruitment adverts, with December seeing the steepest drop in job vacancies in well over four years.
A closely watched report by KPMG and REC, compiled by S&P Global, shows the job market is already shrinking, with companies explicitly blaming the rise in employer national insurance contributions.
Some have been making redundancies in December, according to its survey of 400 recruiters.
The figures come a day after stats showed the services industry was shedding jobs at the fastest pace in 15 years, excluding lockdowns.
It risks making a mockery of Ms Reeves’ claims that her Budget protects the pounds in workers’ pockets — as they only have money if they can get a job.
The REC/KPMG figures are all the more important as the UK’s official stats body has said that it will take another two years to fix its dodgy jobs data.
Economists warn that the Bank of England is having to fly blind because of unreliable labour market information from the Office for National Statistics and it could be keeping rates high for too long when the economy is already in pain.
Neil Carberry, REC chief executive, said that the signs reflected a “weak mood in some businesses.”
Jon Holt, KPMG boss, said it was the biggest fall in vacancies since August 2020, coupled with hiring intention declining at a pace not seen for 16 months.
It comes a day after Next, Britain’s biggest clothing retailer, announced it would not be replacing staff who left or hiring as many people as it might have as it faced an extra £73million wage bill from the Budget.
Model miniature firm Hornby says it is turning the business around after a boost from new customers in the run-up to Christmas.
The 125-year-old firm counts music legend Rod Stewart, pictured above with his railway set, as a fan.
It said sales rose almost a quarter in December. Overall sales were up 7 per cent in the last three months of 2024. Hornby said almost half of Black Friday sales came from new customers.
Chief Olly Raeburn said: “We are pleased to be able to report growth in revenues, margins and gross profits through the critical quarter.”
Frasers Group boss Mike Ashley owns an almost 9 per cent stake in Hornby.
After struggling with losses last year, Hornby shares rose by almost 10 per cent yesterday, valuing the company at £47.5million.
The boss of Topps Tiles is retiring after 18 years — and just a month after an activist investor renewed calls for a management shake-up.
Rob Parker, 52, who joined the flooring retailer in 2007, had been chief executive since 2019. He will leave once a replacement has been found towards the end of this year.
A spokesman said that his exit was unrelated to calls by Austrian investors MS Galleon, who had accused Topps Tiles of “strategic missteps.”
Topps Tiles suffered slumping like-for-like sales last year but yesterday highlighted an overhaul was already under way with like-for-like sales up 3.5 per cent in the last three months of 2024.
It said online trading helped drive all sales by 12.5 per cent in the festive five-week period.
Chairman Paul Forman said that Mr Parker was leaving the “group well-positioned” and highlighted that he had steered the firm through the pandemic.
Shell is warning profits in its gas business will take a big hit in the fourth quarter.
The energy giant said a slew of hedging contracts it took out in 2022 to protect itself against a supply shortage after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had now expired.
Shell had been accused of profiteering during the energy crisis, when prices of gas and oil soared.
Its shares dropped by 1.3 per cent yesterday to £2,583.
Paddy Power owner Flutter has warned of a hit to profits as favourites landed the odds in US sports.
The gambling group said it had suffered “very unfavourable” results in the American football season.
In 2024, there were 184 winning favourites out of 256 NFL games, the highest rate in nearly two decades.
The Detroit Lions’ win over the San Francisco 49ers alone cost Flutter £59million.
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, who is Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, also drove a flurry of bets.
As a result the group, which shifted its listing from London to New York last year to reflect its growing US business, says it expects its revenues to fall by £313million and earnings to be £209million lower.
Meanwhile, football fans have had less luck — with results going in favour of the bookie last year.
Investors pulled £9.56billion from UK funds last year, data shows.
It marked the ninth year in a row of heavy withdrawals, leaving London behind its global peers.
The loss was lower than 2023’s £12.1billion — but £45billion has leached away since 2015.
Car maker Rolls-Royce is investing £300million expanding its Goodwood factory as super wealthy drivers splash out for its luxury motors.
The BMW-owned company said that some super-rich drivers are willing to spend more than £500,000 on its cars. Bespoke embellishments include LED lights to mimic the night sky and gold bonnet sculptures.
The boost for the West Sussex factory is welcome at a time when mass market car rivals including Vauxhall owner Stellantis and Ford have shut sites and cut jobs in recent years.
Rolls-Royce has grown from 300 employees to more than 2,500 at Goodwood in the 22 years since BMW’s takeover.