Homeowner wins planning row with council over his garden decking

A homeowner has won a planning battle with his council after he was told the platform was too high and that he needed planning permission - with help from Google Earth.

Gareth Leek, 58, was left stunned when planning officials claimed his beloved garden decking was too tall and needed retrospective permission, despite it being in place for eight years.

Council busybodies argued the raised grey-and-white platform in his Pontypool, Gwent, garden stood 83cm high.

This is a whole half a metre over the limit requiring planning permission.

But Mr Leek wasn't about to let his pride-and-joy be torn up without a fight.