A VALE man has claimed victory after a battle with council planners over work to maintain a well-known local lake.

After years of restoration work on Rough Lawn and the lake at Elmley Castle, John Eaton's efforts were put at risk when planners revealed that some of the work had been carried out without planning permission.

Mr Eaton has worked on restoring the Rough Lawn and Lake for the past five years and said his restoration work was the first improvement work carried out on the site for the past 58 years.

The retired builder bought the site in 1999 and has carried out improvements on the area since.

"The lake was a total mess. It looked a mess and there was nothing nice there. I cleaned the place up and now everyone in the village says how nice it looks. The lake attracts a lot of wildlife, ducks and pheasants and such."

The 74-year-old said the council's main objection was centred on the causeway he had built to improve access around the pool to help prevent silting problems.

"I needed this causeway to remain in its current position otherwise the whole thing will go back to how it was," he added. "It's easier for me to look after."

The matter was discussed at Wychavon District Council's development control committee recently.

Following a consultation, councillors discussed the breaches of planning permission, outlined by officers, which included ground levels being raised beside the pond and the construction of the causeway - an earth dam - with a base of logs and hardcore.

Officers wanted the earth dam and base layer of logs and hardcore removed so the land is below minimum summertime water levels.

They also discussed the removal of earth logs and hardcore from land next to Parkmill, where Mr Eaton lives.

But in their report council officers said the works undertaken to the Rough Lake and Lawn were carried out more than four years ago and were now immune from enforcement action.

Mr Eaton added: "It's been a long battle trying to keep the lake the way it is. I'm glad it's finally over now. I just want to thank everyone for all the support I received over the years," he said.