MOTORBIKE ace Carl Fogarty has lost his appeal against planners who ordered him to replace a hedge he chopped down without permission.

The four-times World Superbike champion was refused retrospective planning permission for a second access to his Mellor home.

He had removed a four-metre section of the ancient hedge last August so a farmer could get in to cut the grass at his property in Saccary Lane.

He only applied for planning permission after the work was completed, but was rapped by planners and told to restore the site.

Now Government inspectors have dismissed his appeal against the decision by Ribble Valley Council to give the retrospective planning application the thumbs-down.

Nearby residents complained the access was unnecessary and had disturbed an established hedge containing insects and birds.

And county surveyors said poor visibility and the position of the new access might cause accidents.

Now Government planning inspector George Baird has dubbed the access an unacceptable highway hazard and ordered its removal.

He said: "While I acknowledge that Saccary Lane is an access-only road, it does serve a significant number of dwellings and farmsteads.

"The access would, in the main, be used by larger, slow-moving vehicles and I consider the limited visibility from the access and restricted visibility for approaching drivers an unacceptable highway hazard.

"In my view, the problem would not be overcome by setting the gate further back from the carriageway and I therefore dismiss the appeal."

Ribble Valley Council planning officer Colin Sharpe said: "We have been informed by Mr Fogarty's agents that he will close the access and reinstate the hedge. We will be keeping an eye on the matter to ensure that happens."

This is the third time the motorcycle ace, who retired from racing two years ago, has clashed with the planning authorities.

He lashed out at Tockholes Parish Council "fuddie duddies" when they tried to block his plans to build a gym over a garage at his former home in the village.

And in a second row, he was forced to submit retrospective planning permission for a tennis court, stables and garage he erected at the site without permission.

Fogarty was unavailable for comment.