An 'arrogant' developer who blocked a homeowner's sea view with an illegal brick wall has finally teared it down after being ordered to demolish it.
The 16ft by 6ft brick wall, which was built without permission 14 months ago, knocked an estimated £50,000 off the value of Liz Bates's home in Bournemouth, Dorset, by obstructing their sea view.
After a bitter battle to get the wall removed, a planning inspector ruled the wall - which 'far exceeded' being modest - had a 'harmful overbearing impact' on her property.
Rather than admitting defeat and demolishing the wall, developer Eddie Fitzsimmons submitted a planning application to install a frosted screen in its place, keeping Mrs Bates' view hidden.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council unanimously rejected the plans and builders have now removed the wall.
But Mrs Bates, who works as a property inspector, said she could not celebrate the wall being teared down fearing the developer would submit another application to build a wall.
The 43-year-old said: 'There had been scaffolding up for weeks but they started working on the wall just hours before this meeting.
'I want to say I'm really happy but I fear they will still come back in a couple of months (with another application).'
A developer has torn down a 16ft by 6ft wall blocking a property's sea view in Bournemouth, Dorset
The brick 'privacy' wall built illegally at the development before its removal (left) and Mrs Bates' balcony (right)
She added that dealing with Mr Fitzsimmons was 'like hitting your head against a brick wall' and that the ordeal had caused a huge amount of stress.
'It is so frustrating and tiring that I'm having to constantly fight this,' she said.
'You would think that when the Planning Inspector came down from Bristol and condemned it so forcefully that should have been the end of it.'
Mrs Bates is one of about 100 residents who have claimed their lives have been 'ruined' by the development of four cliff-top apartment blocks of 27 flats in front of their homes in the affluent Southbourne area of Bournemouth, Dorset.
She argued that the screen would not prevent noise from travelling over from the developments 15 square metre roof terrace and said any kind of wall or terrace was illegal and will harm her living conditions.
Resident Lucy Beale said that roof terrace and wall were designed to 'further line the pockets' of those who are not local to the area.
In her letter of objection fellow resident Hannah Perrins-Hill said the developer had 'already gotten away' with building a 'monstrosity.'
'Large balconies and walls should not be allowed and should be removed,' she said.
Mrs Bates pictured on her balcony with the wall and scaffolding obscuring the sea view behind her
An aerial view of the development after the wall was removed in the affluent Southbourne area of Bournemouth
'Any further requests from someone who has so little concern for anything other than making money should be refused. He has worked against the local community from the start.'
In their latest planning application, Mr Fitzsimmons' company Vivir Estate said the shortened roof terrace was not large enough to host parties.
They added that the glass screen would 'not result in an overbearing impact' on Mrs Bates and the view from her property.
Representing the developer, Chris Miell, of Pure Town Planning told BNP Council: 'The inspector's decision specified the roof terrace as it was previously proposed.
'It doesn't mean that any roof terrace is unacceptable at this site. It would not cause material harm to the living conditions of neighbouring properties and overcomes the planning inspector's concerns.'
Although BCP Council planning officer found the scheme would 'not have a materially harmful impact on neighbouring residents', councillors opposed an approval.
Speaking about the planning dispute, Councillor Patrick Canavan said: 'How many times do we have to say no please leave it alone, let the residents have a bit of peace and get on with their lives rather than constantly battling against this.'
Councillor Brian Hitchcock added: 'The wall should have come down 12 months ago.'
The two and four-storey blocks in the main development are being built on a former council car park in front of 24 existing properties.
BCP Council put the Southbourne Crossroads Car Park site up for sale in 2017 when it was underused, but changed their minds and denied two planning applications for the site.
They were overruled after Vivir Estates launched an appeal and a planning inspector sided with them despite 1,500 locals objecting to the plans.
Vivir Estates has been approached for comment.
Do YOU have a story? Email
Source link
