An engineering boss has been ordered to tear down his £50,000 garden decking after his neighbours said it invaded their privacy.   Douglas Burns, 52, built the three metre high platform in the garden of his £450,000 home to enjoy the view from his property.But furious neighbours in upmarket Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, complained to council planners insisting it could bring down the value of their homes.Mr Burns admitted he had not sought permission for the project and asked council bosses to allow him to keep it in place by offering to plant trees to hide it. Douglas Burns, 52, built the £50,000 platform so he could enjoy the view from his property The engineering boss erected the three metre platform in his garden in upmarket Bearsden But his neighbours complained to council planners insisting it invaded their privacyBut East Dunbartonshire officials ruled against him and ordered the 'alien and incongruous' decking be removed.He appealed to the Scottish Government in a last ditch bid to reverse the decision but has been told he submitted his paperwork too late and the council decision must stand.

Mr Burns, a highly respected engineer who gave expert evidence into the Buncefield fuel depot explosion in Hemel Hempstead, has now been given three months to tear down the decking and restore the garden to its previous condition.He said: 'I'm now facing a knock-it-down situation.'I had hoped the appeal would get through but the paperwork wasn't in on time. Douglas Burns, 52, (pictured) now has to remove the viewing platform 'The garden is on quite a slope and the decking was put in at some expense to enjoy it more. I'm not sure what I can do next other than take it down.'Council documents stated: 'In this case the raised platform area is, by reason of the gradient of the land and the form its design has taken, highly prominent when viewed from houses to the rear of the application site and the land to the west of the application site.'The height of the structure and the use of gabion baskets mean that the design of the platform area is highly visible.'This type of structure and in particular the materials used are completely out of character with a rear garden setting.

His neighbours argued that the viewing platform could bring down the value of their homes He built stairs leading down to the platform but council bosses have ordered him to take it down He used gabion baskets to build the viewing platform, something which the council said makes it 'very visible' 'The design and height of platform therefore have resulted in a structure that appears to be completely incongruous to a rear setting and is harmful to the visual amenities of the neighbouring residents.'Government reporter Fiona Manson wrote to Mr Burns saying: 'In order to be accepted, this appeal should have been received by our office before the date the enforcement notice you received from East Dunbartonshire Council took effect.'I apologise that we are unable to consider your appeal as we have no scope to accept or consider appeals received after this deadline.'We are bound by the regulations mentioned above, which does not allow us to agree extensions in these circumstances.'

Wildlife → Wildlife-Human Issues → Living with Wildlife → Black Bears Maine is home to the largest population of black bears in the lower 48 states. Our bears are most active between April 1 and November 1.Best Brand Of Hvac System When natural foods are scarce, especially in the spring or dry summers, bears will venture into backyards and fields in search of easily accessible food such as bird feeders, garbage, grills and pet foods.Garage Flooring Paint Home Depot While hundreds of conflicts between bears and people are reported each year in Maine, many can be prevented by simply removing or securing common bear attractants. Eco Outdoor Furniture ReviewRemoving these food sources will also limit other backyard visitors (raccoons, skunks, etc.).

Avoiding bear conflicts and protecting your property from damage. Avoiding bear encounters in the woods, your neighborhood, or backyard. Bear encounters and attacks are rare, but follow these simple steps to avoid and safely escape encounters that do occur. Always report aggressive bears immediately by calling 911. Figure 6: Drawing Credit - Jenifer Rees Electric fencing can be used where raids on orchards, livestock, beehives, and other areas are frequent (Fig. 7). Electric fencing works best if it is in place and operating before conflicts occur, as bears that are food-conditioned will go right through electric fencing. Bears can be lured into licking or sniffing the electrified wire by applying molasses, bacon grease, or peanut butter packets (commercially available or a packet made from aluminum foil) on the fence. (See Preventing Conflicts in Deer for additional information on electric fences) An electric fence designed to keep bears out of an area (Fig 7).

This five-wire electric fence has been effective at keeping adult bears and their cubs out. If necessary, a two-foot wide underground apron of chain-link fencing or steel mesh can be staked down and attached to the fence to keep bears from digging under the fence. If wood or other heavy-duty corner stakes are not used, the corner posts will need to be carefully braced. Traditional wire fencing can also be used as a barrier. Use heavy chain-link or woven-wire fencing at least six feet high. Install 24-inch long wood or metal bar extensions at an outward angle to the top of the fence with two strands of barbed wire running on top. If necessary, a two-foot wide underground apron of chain-link fencing or steel mesh can be staked down and attached to the fence to keep bears from digging under the fence. The most effective long-term solution to conflicts between people and bears is removing, securing, and properly storing attractants such as bird-feeders, garbage, grills, pet and livestock foods, livestock, and bee hives.

Wildlife offices throughout Maine can provide assistance with securing or removing attractants. Wildlife offices throughout Maine respond to bear sightings only when there is a threat to public safety or property. A sighting or the presence of a bear does not constitute a threat to property or public safety. Typically, no attempt will be made by wildlife agency staff to remove, relocate, or destroy the animal. Although problem bears can be live trapped by specially trained wildlife professionals and moved to more remote areas, removal is expensive, time consuming, and seldom effective. Once a bear has tasted human food or garbage, it will remember the source and return again and again. Bears have been known to cover more than a hundred miles after relocation to return to a human food source. In addition, using tranquilizing drugs on bears to facilitate removal is not without risks to bears and humans. When other methods have failed or the bear poses a threat to public safety, lethal removal of problem animals may be the only alternative.

You can help prevent lethal removal by following the recommendations presented above. Contact your regional wildlife office for additional information and, in the case of an immediate emergency, call 911 or the state police. Bears are not considered a significant source of infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans or domestic animals. Humans can, however, become infected with trichinosis by eating undercooked bear meat. To view information on preparing bear meat, see Center for Disease Control & Prevention. The black bear is classified as a big game animal. A hunting and/or trapping license and bear permit (with the exception of resident deer-hunters during the November firearm season on deer) are required to hunt black bears during a 13-week fall season that opens the last Monday in August and closes the last Saturday in November. If a bear is causing damage or is a nuisance, consult Maine's laws on this subject: See all sections, particularly Subsection #1: Bears, which applies to the taking or killing of a bear found doing damage.