A LENGTHY battle to replace a grassy bank and hedge with a retaining wall and fence in Manningford Abbots has been rejected by a government inspector.

Larry Baldry, 69, has been told to remove his three-foot high wall at the bottom of his garden, along the boundary of Aero View with Dragon Lane.

After an officer from the Planning Inspectorate reviewed the application in late May, Mr Baldry's plans to 'stop-up' the highway, meaning that the public no longer have the right to use it, so he could go ahead with his plans, were sent to the Department of Transport, which have now been turned down.

Opposition to the application came from local residents, Manningford Parish Council and Pewsey Vale Wiltshire Councillor Paul Oatway all saying it was not in keeping with the area and the Wiltshire Council Highways team said a pedestrian refuge was required on a 17m stretch of grass verge.

Mr Baldry, who has put in three separate applications for the scheme, put forward this proposal as he was concerned about safety and security issues and feeling his home was open to passers-by.