A ROW over a controversial fence has left a business footing its opposition’s £25,000 legal bill.

Trent Wharfage, which erected a six foot fence at Mistley Quay, has been ordered to pay Tendring Council’s legal fees after taking them to the High Court.

TWL was hoping to overturn the Mistley and Manningtree Conservation Area Management Plan (CAMP) so it had more protection of the fence which residents have campaigned against for four years.

It said the CAMP, which listed ambitions for a fence which was more in keeping with a conservation area, went against the port growth laid out in the legally enforceable local plan.

But a judge said that although the CAMP had included the desire for a better fence, it was not a legal document which could be enforced.

He threw out the plea and also said future appeals would also be refused.