David Lawrie, the former director of BP Exploration, said the fence was needed to deter vandals who had damaged trees, lit fires, and left litter.
An oil and gas boss has been ordered to remove a fence outside a property by Aberdeen City Council after it was built without permission
A 1.8-metre timber fence was then installed around the site, and the issue seemed to have been solved. However, the local authority contacted the oil and gas executive last summer claiming he was using the ground as a private garden. Top news stories today The city council's local review body discussed the proposal on October 13 and visited the site beforehand to allow them to see the patch of ground in question before making a final decision on the matter. Councillor Emma Farquhar was minded to allow the fence to stay in place for a temporary five year period to give the newly planted trees a chance to grow. But her fellow board members thought otherwise.
She also argued there were other ways to protect the trees and deter any vandalism. Meanwhile councillor Miranda Radley confessed she was "on the fence" about the application.