A WOMAN who turned a one acre orchard into her back garden - complete with gazebo, ornamental pond and bridge plus a swing and seat- has been told she s broken planning laws. Jayne Morton was refused permission to convert the former orchard to garden/am

A WOMAN who turned a one acre orchard into her back garden - complete with gazebo, ornamental pond and bridge plus a swing and seat- has been told she's broken planning laws.

Jayne Morton was refused permission to convert the former orchard to "garden/amenity" land last June.

However Ms Morton went ahead anyway but next Wednesday, a retrospective planning application to formalise the works, is being recommended for refusal.

Planning officer Christopher Peckett says the proposal "introduces the domestication of a large area of land which will have a significant and detrimental impact upon the character of the area."

Mr Peckett will tell Fenland District Council Planning Committee of the "harmful impact" caused by the conversion work at Orchard Cottage, Bevis Lane, Wisbech St Mary.

Councillors will decide the issue on Wednesday.