Neighbours left raging after 'prison wall' that blocks out sunlight built by house next door
The row erupted over the property in West Kingsdown (file pic)
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A planning row has broken out after neighbours said a boundary wall is too high and blocks out their sunlight.
The row broke out in West Kingsdown, Kent after the resident started work on her home.
Initially, neighbours Allyson Halls and William East didn't have an issue with the work going on.
However, a parapet wall was later added to the project, making it 70cm higher - which they say has robbed them of sunlight. The couple made a complaint to Sevenoaks Council as they were worried the problem would get worse as the days shortened.
The row erupted over the property in West Kingsdown, Kent (file pic)
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Builders decided to construct the wall on top of her roof after encountering drainage design problems.
Realising this did not comply with the planning permission, work was stopped. However, this has left Hall and East with a lack of light and the resident with a half-finished extension.
She has now submitted three new applications to change the details of the project. This includes lowering the height of the wall by constructing a larger pitched roof.
However the council, which is still investigating the initial planning breach, has twice refused proposed changes. The latest application to fix the height issues was put forward in March but has been deferred by planners.
She said her "house is partially uninhabitable" and Halls remains desperate for something to be done to rectify the situation with autumn approaching.
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Sevenoaks District Council is refusing to accept the new planning applications
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Halls, 63, said: "As the extension is right on the boundary it is like living next to a prison wall. We have a small courtyard garden, only 4.5m deep and the extension was raised over 70cm higher on the boundary than planned. All our sunlight has been taken from us."
She declined to comment, the planning application provides insight into her family’s position.
It says: “This application is submitted to try and finally resolve this difficult situation the applicant and her family have been left in.
"They cannot continue to remain in the property in its unfinished state, and this ongoing situation is not in their best interests, or indeed, those of neighbouring properties having to contend with a construction site on their boundary. The house is partially uninhabitable, and the occupants are confined to the front rooms."
Halls added: “Our garden is in shadow from October all the way round to March/April in the mornings. We’ve got this prison wall next to us - I just want to have our life back, I just want to be able to sit in my garden.”
The couple want their neighbours to return to the original approved plans. A council spokesman said officers were currently studying the application and a decision will be made in due course.
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