HUNDREDS of angry residents packed out the district council offices to voice their concerns about new legislation for park homes.

In unprecedented scenes, councillors were repeatedly barracked by a vocal public gallery for the previous decision they had taken to enforce tighter rules at park homes including banning or reducing many fences, hedges and sheds.

Councillor Liz Webster, who had led a call-in of that decision, was loudly applauded as she set out the case against the previous ruling.

She said: “These units are owned by residents. They pay council tax, are responsible for utility bills and have the same rights as other residents “Hedges and fence are an integral part of each home and should be treated as such and left alone.”

Hundreds of residents from park homes across the district had signed a petition against the new regulations which include boundary rules many have said will render their homes invalid.

Representatives from six different park homes spoke at the overview and scrutiny committee meeting.

Chairman of Abridge Park Residents' Association Peter Baines said: “Thirty-five per cent of proprieties on the Abridge site cannot comply with the three metre boundary rule. Does the council expect to move these proprieties or remove them? What is the point in a rule that is unenforceable?”

Chairman of The Elms Residents' Association, in Waltham Abbey, Paul Burling said: “Surely it's reasonable for homeowners to have fences or hedges not only for their own security but for privacy?

“The impact of these conditions cannot be overstated. It's people's lives and homes we are dealing with here.”

Against a background of heckling and boos from the public gallery, housing portfolio holder Cllr Dave Stallan defended the original decision.

He said: “Many of our licence conditions have not been updated for some 30 years. In 2008 the Government introduce new model standards after consultation. In attaching the varying conditions this council must have regard to any model standards.”

His view was backed by Stewart McMillan, an officer from the fire authority representing Harlow and Epping Forest.

He said: “The view of Essex Fire Authority is we would support the model standards. From a personal viewpoint, in my view they are all about pubic safety. Park homes do not behave in the same way as other public structures.”

Councillors on the scrutiny committee lined up to disagree with the original ruling and voted unanimously to send the decision back to cabinet after it has been assessed by the housing scrutiny panel.

Speaking after the decision, Mr Burling said: “We must remember this is only round one, but it's a good start.”