Horrified neighbours in an affluent seaside town have moaned they will be left looking at a ‘prison wall’ – amid plans to demolish a bungalow and ‘cram’ in a pair of two-storey houses.
Developers say the new homes at Avon Close in the Mudeford area of Dorset will have balconies and 16 full height windows – coming in at 21ft by 55ft.
The suburban street is currently made up of a dozen bungalows that were built on large plots in the 1950s, with a covenant in place to prevent properties above a certain height being built.
But angry locals have claimed the new houses will result in ‘development creep’ – after Glass Harbour Developments was granted permission to demolish the £700,000 bungalow.
One neighbour, Chris Lake, said he and other residents would consider resorting to growing six metre tall hedges to keep their privacy.
Describing the planned houses as ‘looking like a prison’ Mr Lake said: ‘Building a two–storey house in such a tight island plot will create a bad environment and poor quality living spaces not only for neighbours but also for future occupants of the new houses.
‘It will result in the neighbouring homes having to plant 6m hedges to maintain our privacy and still be able to enjoy our gardens.
‘All at the expense of a developer maximising profits, when two, single storey bungalows would be appropriate for Avon Run Close.’
Glass Harbour Developments was granted permission to demolish the £700,000 bungalow (pictured)
The suburban street is made up of a dozen bungalows that were built on large plots in the 1950s, with a covenant in place to prevent properties above a certain height being built
One neighbour, Chris Lake, said he and other residents would consider resorting to growing six metre tall hedges to keep their privacy. The ‘prison-like’ development is pictured
Another resident, Roger Edwards, said: ‘Avon Run Close is specifically for bungalows and this development is out of keeping.
‘Assuming the same covenants are in place, the plot owner is ‘not to erect or permit to be erected on the said land any building other than one detached bungalow’
‘This will open the way for the entire close to be developed in the future.
‘This is an overly dominant development that will overlook all the front gardens in Avon Run Close.
‘The current bungalow is quite visible from all front gardens and the proposed two–storey larger house, faced in light colours will look massive relative to the existing bungalows.
‘The local community requires more bungalows and chalets. Large buildings of this size are frequently bought as second houses where the owners do not contribute to the local community.’
A third person, David Attwood, said the visual effect would be ‘overwhelming’ and create a ‘substantial sense of enclosure’.
He pointed out the plans show a total of 16 full–height windows and balconies at first floor level, overlooking surrounding properties.
The bungalow at Avon Run Close, Mudeford is pictured. Plans to ‘cram’ a pair of two-storey homes in the plot have sparked fury
He added: ‘These elevated viewing points will allow direct views into private outdoor spaces and potentially into habitable rooms within neighbouring homes.
‘This represents a flagrant and unacceptable intrusion into residential privacy.
‘There appears to be no planning justification for the inclusion of two–storey dwellings with extensive first–floor glazing.
‘The application site does not benefit from any significant views that would warrant elevated living accommodation or large first–floor balconies.
‘The introduction of upper–storey accommodation overlooking neighbouring properties therefore appears to serve no purpose other than increasing the internal floor area of the proposed dwellings at the expense of neighbouring residential amenity.’
Residents Christine and Nick Paine said the second house would be ‘squashed into the corner’ and too close to their home.
Meanwhile Rod Williams said he had recently bought and renovated his house in the close but made sure to do so sympathetically and in line with the existing covenants.
He said: ‘On Avon Run Close there is a height covenant requiring that the houses are limited to single story bungalows, keeping the properties in the character of the road.
Despite the plans receiving 18 letters of objection, BCP Council planning officer Peter Walters said he did not consider the scheme ‘harmful’
‘To ignore this would render any such covenants irrelevant and set a precedence for all such restrictions throughout the council area.’
Michael Dickinson said: ‘By doing what they’ve done, they’ve now set the precedent. It will be like a pack of cards. These will all be flattened.
‘Does this drive a coach and horses through the covenant?
‘I knew it was going to get approved, I’ve lost confidence in the system.
‘The democratic process counts for nothing if they are just going to ignore people’s concerns.’
Despite the plans receiving 18 letters of objection, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council planning officer Peter Walters said he did not consider the scheme ‘harmful’.
The planning committee narrowly passed the plans, with five in favour and four against.
