Man wins bid for ‘atypical’ home extension amid neighbour’s privacy fears

A Newport man can finish building his house extension despite his nextdoor neighbour’s claims it will lead to a loss of privacy.

The city council’s planning committee heard the “atypical” extension is under construction at the rear of 2 Ridgeway Hill, along a shared boundary.

Applicant James George, reading a statement from his architect, argued the extension is “shaped specifically to correspond with the existing site boundaries”.

He also called the project a “modest, single-storey addition located entirely to the rear of the property”.

Case officer Adam Foote said the size of the extension was 50 centimetres over what could otherwise be built without planning permission.

But Mr George’s nextdoor neighbour argued the extension “falls short of the design standards typically applied in the neighbourhood”.

He said the angle of the properties’ gardens meant there would be “a much greater impact”, and the completed extension “would look directly at me as I stand in my garden”.

“It directly impacts my privacy”, he said, adding he was “looking to enjoy my garden in retirement – but this overlooking will impact me”.

Several committee members noted the extension was being built close to one of the neighbouring property’s bay windows.

“I’m not happy in regards to the amount of light that is being taken away from that bay window,” said Cllr Trevor Watkins.

But Mr Foote said that if the extension was slightly smaller, it could be built in the same place without needing consent.

“What can be done without planning permission is the majority of this proposal,” he said.

The officer added one of the recommended conditions of planning permission was to not allow any new doors or windows along the extension’s shared boundary.

Members of the committee voted 5-1 in favour of granting planning permission, subject to conditions.