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Beatle's widow in razor fence row | Beatle's widow in razor fence row |
(about 12 hours later) | |
Plans to renew a razor wire fence at the former home of Beatle George Harrison have been branded "unnecessary" and "inappropriate". | |
Harrison's widow, Olivia, has applied to replace the 8ft (2.4m) fence which surrounds the house in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire to maintain security. | |
But her neighbour, actor Rodney Bewes, claims the wire has almost killed his cat and cost him thousands in vet fees. | |
The house is in a conservation area and the town council has opposed the fence. | |
Severed artery | Severed artery |
The high-security fence was installed after the Beatle, who died aged 58 in November 2001, was stabbed seven times by an intruder who broke into Friar Park in Gravel Hill, Henley, in 1999. | |
Mr Bewes, 70, who starred in the 1960s comedy The Likely Lads and its sequel Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, said: "Is the razor wire necessary? Our cat has been caught three times, once severing an artery, and we know of three other cats which have been injured. | |
"My biggest sadness is coming home and driving along Hop Gardens and seeing razor wire and all it stands for in the world. | "My biggest sadness is coming home and driving along Hop Gardens and seeing razor wire and all it stands for in the world. |
Rodney Bewes played Bob Ferris in Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? | |
"What if everyone started putting up razor wire around their gardens? | "What if everyone started putting up razor wire around their gardens? |
"An intruder would find it very easy to prise off the wooden fencing and enter under the razor wire". | "An intruder would find it very easy to prise off the wooden fencing and enter under the razor wire". |
The planning application states the fence is needed to replace the existing 10-year-old security fence around the Grade II-listed building because it is starting to rot and poses a security hazard. | The planning application states the fence is needed to replace the existing 10-year-old security fence around the Grade II-listed building because it is starting to rot and poses a security hazard. |
It also advises that small holes would be left in the bottom of the new fence boards for animals to go through. | It also advises that small holes would be left in the bottom of the new fence boards for animals to go through. |
Members of Henley Town Council have strongly opposed the application and a spokesman said: "It is unneighbourly and inappropriate and detrimental to the character of the conservation area." | |
Mrs Harrison has been unavailable for comment. | Mrs Harrison has been unavailable for comment. |
South Oxfordshire District Council is expected to make a decision on the matter later this month. | South Oxfordshire District Council is expected to make a decision on the matter later this month. |