The site of a historic monument in Watford has been “imprisoned” after new fencing was installed, critics have claimed.
Mesh fencing has recently been put on land around the Sun Clock Tower in Ascot Road.
In posters bearing the image of Watford mayor Peter Taylor, Watford Borough Council has been accused of putting the fence up without planning permission.
But the council has told the Watford Observer the fence has been legally installed under permitted development rights.
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The fencing has replaced boards that had become battered in places.
Various versions of a poster criticising the fencing have been printed, which include statements such as: “Watford Liberal mayor Peter Taylor landlocks the clock tower site”, the clock tower has been “imprisoned”, the fence is “high and intrusive” and put up “without planning permission”, and that the mayor is responsible for “failures in code of conduct”.
The posters and photos of the new fencing were sent to the Watford Observer – though the sender’s identity is unknown. It comes after the council failed to back plans to demolish the tower.
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Responding to the posters, a council spokesperson said: “There are ongoing legal proceedings relating to this site.
“The council has erected fencing around the land in its ownership which does not need planning permission as the height of the fencing complies with permitted development rights.”
The Sun Clock Tower, which has been in disrepair since the 1980s, is privately owned.
It forms part of the former Sun Engraving Company site – much of which has been redeveloped, including into a hotel and industrial buildings.
The clock tower, which was part of a water pumping station for the printing company, is the last remaining sign of the company’s existence in the town.
Last year, the council rejected a proposal to knock down the building, citing its “historical significance”. There had been more than 200 objections.
The decision was appealed by the applicant but a planning inspector came to the same conclusion as the council.
Read more: Appeal to demolish Sun Clock Tower lost
Applicant Paul Stacey told the planning inspector the clock tower is “unfit for purpose”, and added the site it sits on provides a redevelopment opportunity for the council.
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