A FURIOUS local has blasted a six-foot fence that mysteriously appeared and cut him off from his own hedges.

       Mark McGillion was stunned when the wooden border popped up in Highnam, Gloucestershire, without any prior warning.

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       Mark McGillion was stunned when the six-foot fence cut him off from his own hedges Credit: BPM 3

       Mark and council official Charlie Coats with a petition that has been signed by more than 400 residents Credit: BPM

       The huge unwanted fence now prevents Mark from trimming his own hedgerow and has sparked fury among hundreds of other residents.

       In a bid to see the massive eyesore torn down, more than 400 community members have signed a petition to have it removed.

       Mark told Gloucestershire Live: "If the fence stays up and the space is lost, I would feel enclosed in it.

       “The view we've had before would be lost and for me personally it would block access to my hedge and I feel for neighbours who have used this space to walk to the shops."

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       The disheartened homeowner explained how the community had enjoyed wildflower planting in the area and its loss is "devastating".

       Disgruntled residents believed the beautiful green space, which had been untouched for 40 years, was public property.

       However, it was recently auctioned off in London after an error led authorities to believe it belonged to Tewkesbury Borough Council rather than Highnam Parish Council.

       Meanwhile Charlie Coats, Highnam Parish Council chairman, claimed he wanted to see the snowballing row "nipped in the bud."

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       The frustrated official explained locals are furiously applying for village green status from Gloucestershire City Council.

       “This could be the thin edge of the wedge where other people might do this to other communities," he added.

       The online petition fuelled by fuming locals reads: "We are calling on all residents, wildlife enthusiasts, and Highnam community leaders to sign this petition to get the fence removed, to ensure the trees are retained as they are, and support the application that the land be assigned Village Green Status, ensuring it has protection to continue to be used and enjoyed by all in the village in the future, as it has been for the past 40 years."

       They have claimed their precious plot of greenery should be returned to them under a deed from 1983.

       In addition, protestors say there are three trees behind the controversial fence that should be protected by preservation orders.

       “Two of these [trees] have heritage asset value dating back to when the village was just farmland," the petition continued.

       Mark Harper, the Conservative MP for the Forest of Dean, wrote on Facebook: "I have been contacted by a number of constituents about the land south of Maidenhall, Highnam.

       "I am aware that a fence has recently been installed and many residents are concerned about the plans for the land.

       "I have contacted Tewkesbury Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council, to establish some of the facts surrounding the ownership of the land and any potential plans.

       "I am also looking into the details of the Village Green Status application."

       A spokesperson for Tewkesbury Borough Council said: “We are aware of the fence that has been put up in Highnam.

       "As this is the subject of a live enforcement investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

       Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Associate Director of Planning, Nick Bryant, said: “We are aware of the fence that has been put up in Highnam.

       "As this is the subject of a live enforcement investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

       This comes as homeowners in the Cotswolds were furious after their historic stone wall was replaced with an "ugly" wooden fence costing ￡200,000.

       Villagers have branded work done a ''bodge job'' by council workers.

       Meanwhile, a man who put up a six-foot privacy fence to "protect his kids" was fuming after being told to tear it down because it "ruins the road’s aesthetics".

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       Plus, a privacy fence expert offered their six tips to avoid a row with your neighbours.

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       The green space before the mysterious fence was erected Credit: BPM