A mum and dad are angry after they were ordered by the local council to tear down their garden fence built to keep their autistic daughter safe.
Cliff and Dawn Baker, from Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, got permission from their landlord to put up the fence 18 months ago after their daughter TJ White, 10, kept escaping and running into the road.
TJ has autism, learning difficulties and is one of only two people in the world with a rare chromosome depletion, which leaves her behaviour hard to predict.
Cliff and Dawn say they have a pediatrician’s letter and medical records that proved the need for the fence for the youngster’s own safety.
But planning officers have told them the £1,000 fence is a road safety hazard but when this was proved not to be the case the council said it was a ‘street scene’ issue.
The £400 appeal was rejected by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
They’ve now been told to reduce the fence to one metre or erect a hedge but the parents say TJ will be able to escape.
Cliff and Dawn say they have been threatened with court action if they refuse and have been given a February deadline.
Cliff, 43, who is a full-time carer with his wife, said: ‘We’re just at our wits end. They won’t let us keep our child safe, it is just painful.
‘It’s ridiculous – we could end up with a criminal record just for trying to keep our daughter safe.
‘Her wellbeing comes first and we just can’t understand why there has been no