A LIVID neighbour has told of her fury at a new house being built less than 2 FEET from her own.
Pensioner Barbara Harber claims the build has significantly reduced the value of her property and that the ordeal has made her life a misery.
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The 74-year-old says it is so close her window cleaner can’t even get his ladder up to clean her gutters and fascias and that she won’t settle until it’s torn down.
Barbara, from Totton, in Southampton, Hampshire, told The Sun Online: “Some nights I can’t sleep because of the stress so I go for a walk by the river.
“I’ve cried myself to sleep some nights.
“I’m sure this has taken thousands off the value of my house.”
Work started on the new property at the start of this year before it stopped temporarily, and resumed eight weeks ago.
Builders rock up to work on the house – on the market for £400,000 – at 8am each morning and poor Barbara hears the noise constantly.
“I can’t open up my windows, I go out just to get away from it”, the former newsagents manager added.
The site of the new build was previously the garden of another house before it was sold last year.
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But the mum-of-two and gran-of-four – who has lived in her home for 34 years – claims the footprint of the original plans next door’s build has been extended.
It means the new three bedroom house is even closer to her home than it was supposed to be
“I never saw a planning announcement or consultation letter, the next thing I knew they started digging”, Barbara slammed.
Before the new home, the closest property on that side was more than 20 yards away.
But the proximity of the home to Barbara’s is just one of a handful of other problems making her life hell.
It was such a lovely place to live, we had lovely neighbours and there was a plum orchard up the road
Barbara Harber
She claimed builders were responsible for knocking out her electricity with a scaffolding pole and have even parked in her disabled parking space “four times”.
The 74-year-old even claims builders “cracked a wall” at her home, had to ask the electricity company to put a new cable in.
Barbara even claims the builders “just don’t care” she is disabled and are “taking advantage”.
Construction is due to be complete in October.
But the problems don’t stop there.
Husband John, 87, moved into the family’s home in 1970 before marrying Barbara.
But he is now in a care home unaware of the new build.
The situation has left Barbara terrified of bringing him back to show him what is going on as it will break him.
Barbara, who struggles to walk due to blood clots and has breathing difficulties due to blood clots, said the strain of the new house has also exacerbated her health problems.
Before the building work started, Barbara claims the home was estimated to be worth around £400,000.
‘FULL PLANNING’
She added: “It was such a lovely place to live, we had lovely neighbours and there was a plum orchard up the road.
“I do want to move eventually when my husband dies, but we have lived here for so long, so why should I give in to them?”
Mrs Harber said a planning enforcement officer from New Forest District Council is due to visit the new building within the next two weeks.
The company behind the construction said: “We have full planning permission, we aren’t doing anything illegal.
“The issue is with the council approving the planning in the first place.”
Hampshire County Council said: “Planning permission was granted for a family home on this site several years ago.
“The most recent application sought to make some minor changes to external appearance of the home and a revised internal layout.
“It was not considered that these changes would have any additional impact upon neighbours or the amenity of the area and was recommended for approval.
“The proposal was supported by the Town Council. Neighbours were consulted, but no comments were received.”
The Sun has contacted the developer for comment.
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