A LIVID landlord is locked in a "petty" row with his council over a fence that is 20cm too tall - but insists it's been there for years.

       Joe Haggarty says planning officials have threatened to drag him to court if he does not get planning permission for the 1.2m tall barrier.

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       Joe Haggerty is locked in a 'petty' row with Coventry City Council over a fence that is 20cm too tall Credit: Joe Haggarty/CoventryLive 2

       The council has threatened to drag community-minded Joe to court over the row Credit: CoventryLive/BPM

       To add insult to injury, officers have also expressed disdain over banners at the front of The New Albany in Earlsdon, Coventry.

       The 47-year-old fumed: "The fence has been there for about four years, but only now is there a problem with it.

       "If a car were to crash, it would fly straight through."

       Joe said the fence - which the council says needs planning as it's taller than one metre - also keeps in the noise from his boozer and offers a bit of privacy.

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       Replacing it could set Joe back a whopping ￡3,500 and Coventry City Council are also threatening planning action over his banners, CoventryLive reported.

       He says the row - triggered by a snitch who complained - has been "the hardest" of his 31-years in the trade - trumping Covid and the cost-of-living.

       It is all the harder as the landlord has spent around ￡900,000 over five years transforming the Albany Road site from a derelict Marston's Brewery plot.

       Community-minded Joe, who helps with litter picks and runs a gym for people with mental health problems, says he feels let down by the saga.

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       "The council should be helping us - it's crazy", he added.

       A council spokesperson said: "In response to a public enquiry received in May, officers undertook an inspection of this locally listed building when several apparent breaches of planning and advertisement consent where identified.

       "Officers are currently in discussion with the landlord and his representatives over these matters."