LOCALS are fuming after a neighbour’s “monstrous” extension has ruined their street – but the council have said it can stay.
Mohammed Shorab built a two-story side and single-storey rear add-on to his property in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
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The taxi driver didn’t originally follow the plans which were approved by Stoke-on-Trent council.
He then built a new front porch, a canopy, five fluted Grecian-style columns and wrong-style windows.
In May last year, he was given nine months to knock it down.
However, in a turn around, Mohammed submitted a retrospective planning application with some modifications.
And council planners have now given it the green light.
The extension was previously slammed as a “complete bloody mess” as residents fought against it with 15 of them complaining.
They have since told of their anger after hearing the news it can stay.
One horrified resident told The Sun Online: “It spoils the whole street scenes and even with modifications, which we doubt will happen, planning permission should never have been granted.”
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Another said: “Everyone here is against the extension and I don’t think they’ll ever do the work needs to comply with the amended retrospective plans.
“We think it should be knocked down and returned to how it was before – a single storey garage.
“We all oppose it but we don’t want any hassle in my opinion so we’ll reluctantly just have to live with it.”
A resident, who lives in a bungalow opposite, said: “We’re not happy at all – it’s not the type of house extension to put up in this street.
“It’s full of retired people and this property is now full of lots of people and cars.
“It’s far too big, it’s the wrong place, out of place and it keeps getting worse.
“It sends out the wrong message from the council to do anything you want to do.
“If they want a big house go to a place where big houses can be built without offending neighbours.”
‘THERE’S A LOT OF ILL FEELING HERE’
One neighbour named Dave said he isn’t going to “kick up a fuss” despite one of the walls being backed onto his garden fence.
He said: “There is a lot of ill feeling here but I don’t want to take sides.
“I’ve lived here for 47 years but I’m not going to kick up a fuss.
“They built a 15-feet high wall which goes right up against my garden wall.”
The pillars also block Dave’s view.
Mohammed will now have to remove all the columns, reduce the canopy in size and change the one large front window into two smaller ones.
Chairman of the planning committee Ross Irving, recommending approval, said: “I hope this is a salutary lesson to all applicants that it isn’t just a piece of paper they can go away and change.
“If they receive planning approval they must stick to that approval because this was a blatant disregard.
“The planning officers have bent over backwards on this – they have gone back two or three times to the applicant and agent and I don’t think we can ask any more of our officers.
“I am hopefully satisfied that what we have got in front of us is pretty good. It’s not perfect but in light of what has happened it’s reasonably good, otherwise officers wouldn’t be recommending approval.
“I hope we can resolve this matter as quickly as possible and I hope the applicant will liaise with neighbours to ensure as little disturbance as possible.”
Vice-chairman Andy Platt added: “I really do feel for the residents who have had to put up with the ongoing work in this cul-de-sac for so long.
“To not allow this would be worse for residents because it would be.”
Mohammed and his oldest son refused to comment when they were approached by our team.
What are your rights?
When it comes to a neighbour’s extension or building works, there are a few common causes of discord.
Overstepping property boundaries is a common problem, and it’s important to check where the boundary lies to see whose land the works are taking place on.
You can buy these for as little as £3 from Land Registry.
Meanwhile, the Party Wall Act 1996 is a piece of legislation designed to prevent and resolve disputes between neighbours over building or digging work that affects a party wall.
Tom Edwards, partner in property disputes at LCF Law, said works within six metres of an adjoining home could fall within the act, which means neighbours must be given written notice.
He said: “Owners can also acquire rights to light over time. If you’ve had the benefit of natural light to your property for 20 years or more, even if it’s not in your deeds, it can become your legal right.”
Have you had a similar experience with one of your neighbours? Email [email protected]
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