A house extension in Farnworth, Bolton, has been ordered for demolition by the council as it exceeded the approved size by two meters. The planning committee raised concerns about the extension overlooking a neighbor’s dining room, kitchen, and garden. The applicant, Mr. M Azeen, had submitted a retrospective proposal to keep the flat roof structure at the back of the house, which extended five meters from the original structure, surpassing the approved plans by 2.1 meters.
Planners argued that allowing the extension would harm the neighboring property’s amenity by blocking light to a main room and garden. They highlighted that due to the sun path, the private garden would also be overshadowed, affecting living conditions negatively.
The main issue highlighted by officers was the additional 2.1 meters beyond the approved size. The extension encroached on a 45-degree line drawn from the center of the closest ground floor window of the neighboring property’s rear elevation. This application was a resubmission of a previously rejected retrospective application due to its impact on neighbors’ living conditions.
An advocate for the applicant defended the extension, stating it was necessary to provide more living space for the applicant’s growing family. However, the committee chair emphasized that the extension was overbearing and overshadowing, leading to a detrimental impact on neighbors’ amenity. Consequently, the committee voted 10 to four to reject the retrospective application.
Unless a successful appeal is made, the applicant will have to demolish the extension or adjust it to match the correct dimensions outlined in the original plans. This incident follows a case where a homeowner was compelled to remove his summer home after a prolonged dispute with a neighbor who reported the construction to the council. Andrew Causley, the homeowner, sought retrospective planning permission for the structure following the replacement of a children’s playhouse in his garden, leading to the ensuing conflict with his neighbor.