The Planners Are Coming - Not in My Backyard

"Garden-grabbing" is the new buzzword for developers. Because land is in such short supply, they're on the lookout for any large gardens that they can build on. But in Essex, a group of residents are up in arms over a proposal to build a new family house in the garden of another. Is it just nimbyism or will the Council Planning Committee agree? In North London, another garden is being put to a different use by a serial hoarder. Owner Jonathan Cockling is storing old motorbikes and bike parts from his business and complaints from his neighbours have brought the wrath of the local council down on his head - for the second time in a year. Head of Planning Enforcement, Tim Rolt, arrives unannounced to remove and possibly destroy the illegally stored goods, putting Jonathan's livelihood under threat. It's not just gardens that come under the watchful eye of planning departments; in a conservation area, two oak trees which are protected by Tree Preservation Orders stand accused of causing damage to nearby buildings, and are threatened with the chop. But trees evoke strong emotions in the local residents, and they won't let them be felled without a fight.