Aline Chick and her partner Paul Crook, of St Mary’s Road, Harborough, say fencing put up by Michael Thorpe, who lives two doors down, has spoilt the view from their own garden.

The fencing stretches around Mr Thorpe’s garden and that of his next-door neighbour, who lives in the house in-between.

The couple believe it has been put up to prevent their pet cats – pedigree Blue Burmese Harry and Polly – from getting into the two gardens.

Now they have complained to Harborough District Council because they believe the fence has been constructed without planning permission.

Mrs Chick told the Mail: “It’s a total eyesore. At one point it’s more than 12ft high and it looks appalling. It’s like Colditz.”

The 71-year-old has lived in the same street as Mr Thorpe for 24 years and says she has always done her best to be a good neighbour, with her partner Mr Crook even lending him tools occasionally.

“Our cats are very sociable characters and are always out and about,” said Mrs Chick. “He’s [Mr Thorpe] saying they get in his house and mess but we think that’s totally untrue.

“It looks like something that’s been built to keep out the black beast of Harborough rather than our cats. We’ve got a pretty garden and we work hard to maintain it, but this has really spoilt it.”

Mrs Chick said another couple in the street who are trying to sell their house expressed concern that potential buyers would be put off by the fencing because it looks like it has been put up to deter burglars.

“They might see this barricade and think we live in a high-crime area,” said Mrs Chick.

The Mail contacted Mr Thorpe but he declined to comment.

The district council’s planning guidelines say planning permission must be sought when constructing a fence more than two metres high (6ft 5ins).

A spokesman for the council said a planning officer had visited the site and was monitoring the situation.

He added: “We would always encourage residents to contact the council for advice, in advance, if putting up fences, to check if they require planning permission.”