A mother has expressed profound despair after developers who constructed an illegal concrete wall in front of her property secured the backing of the local council. Liz Bates, a resident of Poole Bay in Dorset, has condemned what she calls 'unscrupulous' developers building luxury flats, claiming the 16ft by 8ft privacy wall has devalued her apartment by £50,000 and made a 'mockery of the planning system'.
Retrospective Application Sparks Controversy
Vivar Estates, the developers responsible for erecting the wall without planning permission, submitted a retrospective application to retain it. In a contentious move, they argued that building the wall was a favour to Mrs Bates, aimed at preventing 'mutual overlooking' due to large glazing in the new cliff-top flats. However, this action conveniently allowed for the addition of a roof terrace on the flat in front of the wall, potentially increasing its value.
Council's Shifting Stance
Initially, planning officers at Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council agreed with Mrs Bates, describing the wall as 'visually intrusive' and having a 'materially harmful impact on neighbouring residents'. Yet, after reviewing revised plans from the developers, officials now recommend approval, despite numerous objections from the community.
Mrs Bates, a 42-year-old property inspector from Southbourne, Bournemouth, voiced her disappointment, stating, 'Understandably, I'm very disappointed in the council's planning department. My main concerns have not been addressed properly, and the lack of transparency in the previous application is alarming.' She added that locals fear this decision sets a dangerous precedent, undermining the planning process.
Emotional and Financial Toll
The mother of one revealed that the developers' claim of 'no harmful impact' on her property 'makes my blood boil'. She lamented, 'We feel like we're being forced out of our home. Estate agents say we can't move due to the lost value, so we're trapped here.' The wall has blocked panoramic views of Poole Bay, reduced natural light, and made outdoor spaces unusable, with Mrs Bates describing the development as an 'absolute monstrosity'.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict stems from a former council car park sold in 2017, where Vivar Estates is constructing two and four-storey blocks of 27 flats in front of 24 existing properties. After BCP Council denied two planning applications, an appeal led to a planning inspector siding with the developers, despite 1,500 local objections, including from Mrs Bates.
In their defence, Pure Town Planning, consultants for Vivar Estates, stated in the new application that the wall remedies potential overlooking and allows for a 'modest roof terrace', asserting no harmful impacts. Town planners echoed this in a report ahead of a committee hearing, calling the amendments 'minor and acceptable'.
Mrs Bates and her neighbours vow to continue fighting, highlighting the ongoing battle and unfairness of the situation. She concluded, 'The pure arrogance of these people is ruining our lives, and we are sick to death of it.'
