We’re furious after our neighbour built ‘horrid’ extension overlooking our home – but we’ve used our garden to hit back
A FUMING couple were heartbroken when their dream home was ruined by a neighbour’s extension “monstrosity”.
The “horrid” addition left Daniel Cox and Nick Hodgins devastated – and they’ve spent two years battling the issue at their £706,550 east London property in Leytonstone.
The pair’s neighbour boasts a huge dormer window, that protrudes from the side of the house, and looks directly into their garden.
Not only were Daniel and Nick disgruntled at the thought of being spied on, they were also shocked to discover there was once a “porn set” on the other side of the glass.
The innovative couple took matters into their own hands and started plotting “Operation Hide The Window” to salvage the dignity of their three bedroomed Edwardian terraced house.
They posted their updates on TikTok, where videos revealed an array of trees and bushes had been positioned in front of the extension.
In one post, they explained in the caption: “Okay, so we bought a house in 2022. A neighbour built this horrid extension breaching planning permission with the window.
“It was built over 10 years ago so we can’t challenge it/get them to remove.”
The structure was installed after owners of a shop, which backs on to Daniel and Nick’s home, were refused planning permission to renovate the property into a family home.
The council eventually approved permission to change part of the property into a flat.
Daniel and Nick used garden furniture, trees, a pagoda, new tiling and decking to conceal the extension – as well as revamp their outdoor space.
After finally covering the dormer window completely, the pair captioned a post: “The love of my life, aka the fern tree, has started producing new fronds.
“The silver birch and acer are starting to cover our neighbours window.
“Interesting story, the apartment that overlooks our garden used to be used as a porn set.
“Weirdly the estate agent didn’t include that fun fact in the brochure.”
They added: “Doing up the garden has been the best investment on the house so far and we’ve managed to do it on a fairly low budget.
“During the warmer months it makes our house feel double the size so it’s been well worth it.
“I literally live out here from March to October, stood next to the bbq with a beer.”
A source told the MailOnline: “The neighbours think what they have done to brighten up the garden and the locality is wonderful.
“They have brightened up the area and there hasn’t been a single complaint from the people in the dormer.
“They haven’t caused any trouble for the house with the huge dormer and window and everyone is happy.”
Ironically, Daniel and Nick christened their dream home Hitchcock House, as the iconic director was born but half a mile away.
One of the Hollywood legend’s most recognised films is called Rear Window.
The premise of the movie, starring James Stewart, involves a photographer who starts spying on his neighbours from his apartment window after he was left homebound with a leg injury.
But in a thrilling twist he witnesses a murder unfold and has to crack the case with his girlfriend, portrayed by Grace Kelly.
However, Daniel and Nick are praying the curtains have finally closed on their own rear window ordeal.
It comes as residents elsewhere told how their neighbour’s new eyesore extension is so ugly some locals have already moved out.
The two-story side and single-storey rear add-on to the property in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent has been slammed as a “complete bloody mess”.
Meanwhile, angry locals in another part of the country have told how they hate their neighbours’ ugly “sauna” extension and want it torn down.
A couple was ordered to tear down the structure after a litany of complaints.