Our neighbour’s huge newbuild is an eyesore monstrosity – they’ve spoiled our views, taken parking & council don’t care
ANGRY locals have slammed their neighbour’s huge newbuild and dubbed the “eyesore” a “monstrosity”.
Residents in Blackrod, near Bolton, have blasted a decision to approve plans for the controversial home in their picturesque town.
The large property was given the green light, despite it being close to existing homes.
Blackrod Town Council, which is only advisory in planning matters, rejected the application but it was subsequently granted by Bolton Council.
However, locals have branded the decision “stupid” and “crazy”.
They claim the new house will block light into their gardens, spoil their countryside views, all while sparking traffic and parking issues.
Anne Fordham, 74, who lives two doors away told The Sun: “The problem is we haven’t seen any proper plans for the house.
“We all thought it was going to be a bungalow, which wouldn’t have been a problem, but it just kept going up.
“So there’s going to be at least one other storey and some kind of balcony too, which will overlook some people’s homes.
“It’s the height of the house and the loss of views we are objecting to.
“I won’t be able to sit in my garden and see anything of of nearby hills like I used to – the house will just block them out.”
The resident added how she’s been forced to move her car several times so lorries and other vehicles can access the site.
Building work started almost a year ago and Anne believes it has been creating parking woes for many residents ever since.
“I’ve often been asked to move my car,” she said.
“I was in the shower once when i got a knock on the door.
“The access for vehicles is already poor and the new house will just make it worse.”
Anne called the decision to approve the plans “stupid”, adding: “I just can’t understand why it has to be such a big house – it makes no sense.”
Fellow neighbours Vincent Walkden, 88, and his wife and Gladwys, 83, have lived in the road for 65 years.
“It’s a crazy,” he said.
“The house is too big.
“The views we enjoy will be taken away from us.
“We’ve had lots of noise from lorries coming down the road and people have had to move their cars – it’s just silly really.”
Next-door, Lisa Eatock, 52, added: “The plans should never have been passed.
“The house will be eyesore.
“It just blocks the views of [nearby] Rivington Pike.”
Meanwhile, Jess Dobson, 28, said she was unaware of the “sheer size” of the house until work began.
“I’ve had notes put on my car windscreen from the builders telling me not to park in the road,” she added.
“At first, I thought it was just going to be an extension.
“But given the size of house, it makes you wonder what they’re going to use it for.”
Councillor John Price said he’d objected to the plans “from the start” and the property didn’t fit in with the existing “street scene” or homes.
He also questioned Bolton Council’s decision-making process and whether plans for the home had changed since planning permission was approved.
“We are not being NIMBYs,” he said.
“Nobody is objecting to development in Blackrod but it has to appropriate development.
“I’m sure it will be a lovely house – it’s just in the wrong place.”
He acknowledged that the council is constrained by planning rules, but added: “They could have shown more concern and support to residents.
“I’d rather have consultation than confrontation.”
Planning applicant Barry Jackson, who lives near to the new home, was approached but didn’t wish to comment.
When asked if he wanted to respond to residents’ concerns, he said: “I’m not interested.”
Bolton Council were contacted for comment.
This comes as residents elsewhere in the country say their picturesque coastal village has been “ruined” and turned into a “building site” by A-list celebrities.
Mawgan Porth, dubbed “Hollywood-on-Sea”, in Cornwall features a series of multi-million pound developments that have attracted the rich and famous.
At the heart of the cliff-top scene is a five-bed eco-home being built by Cate Blanchett.
The Hollywood actress got planning permission to knock down the £1.6million cottage she bought with her playwright husband Andrew Upton.
But locals in what was once called “Cornwall’s best kept secret” – that lies between Padstow and Newquay – fear they are being priced out of the area.
Meanwhile, in Studland, Dorset, a pensioner says her retirement dream has been “completely shattered” by a millionaire’s plans to build a Grand Designs-style “glass monstrosity” next door.
She lives in a tiny country road which boasts stunning views of heathland and Studland Bay.
But she now fears her retirement will turn into “complete hell” after the owner won approval to tear down his £2.2 million detached house nearby and turn it into a modern glass fronted home similar to ones in millionaire’s paradise Sandbanks across the water.
How to resolve a neighbour dispute
According to Citizens Advice
Talk your neighbour
If you feel as though you can safely, you should approach your neighbour to discuss the problem first.
Take a note of the time and date you spoke to them, in case you need it for evidence later.
If you can’t speak to them face-to-face, you can write them a letter.
Tell them about the issue you would like to fix and how they can do their part.
Talk to your neighbour’s landlord
If your neighbour is a tenant, you can talk to their landlord. This could be the local council, a housing association or a private landlord.
Get support from a residents’ or tenants’ association
If there’s a residents’ or tenants’ association where you live, they might be able to offer additional support.
If more people complain, the dispute will be less personal, which may help your case.
Go though a mediation service
Mediators are independent and will listen to both sides to help you reach an agreement.
You might have to pay for mediation, but their is financial support available for those who are eligible.
Contact your local council
The local council can actually still help solve disputes between neighbours – even if the neighbours are not living in local council housing.
Contact a local councillor or MP
You can contact a local councillor or MP for help, you can find out who represents you through GOV.UK.
You can write them a letter outlining the issue, remember to keep a copy for yourself.
Contact the police
You can contact the police if a criminal offence is being committed – for example, if your neighbour is:
- being violent or harassing you
- making excessive noise – the police can visit the neighbour or issue fines to people who have failed to stop the noise after being asked to do so, or they can confiscate sound producing equipment
If you’re not sure whether what your neighbour is doing is a crime, contact your local council, phone 101, or contact your local police station for advice.
Consult a lawyer
You can send your neighbour a letter from a solicitor to show that you’re serious about your complaint.
A letter from a solicitor might help to explain the legal position in a dispute, for example if neighbours can’t agree about the position of a boundary.
Take legal action
Legal action should be a last resort after you’ve tried speaking to your neighbour and taking action through your local council.
Going to court might resolve the dispute but damage your relationship with your neighbours.
It’s also expensive unless you’re eligible for legal aid or are using the simple procedure