Extension plan angers couple (From Gazette Series)

Extension plan angers couple

STROUD District Council planners have been accused of riding roughshod over the human rights of a couple living near North Nibley.

The couple, Mr and Mrs Jones from Forthay, are angry that SDC's development control committee has permitted an extension to their neighbours' house which they think is overbearing and will result in a loss of privacy.

The couple issued a statement after the meeting claiming that SDC members and officers had ignored their rights.

Jean Palmer said in the statement: "We have written letter after letter showing why these plans should not be allowed and have at all times brought up sound planning reasons why the plans should be dismissed.

"But what can the ordinary householder do to protect their way of life when the council ride roughshod over their human rights?"

The decision in favour of the application was unanimous, with a single abstention. The sites panel was also unanimous in its approval of the plan.

Some concern was raised about the impact of a blank wall on the neighbours but planners said there was nothing in law that said it would have to be disguised with plants.

A previous planning application by the applicants was rejected by a planning inspector and Mrs Palmer claims SDC had ignored this previous advice.

Case officer Will Bridges said in his report to committee, however, that the new application had dealt with the previous objections.

Mr Bridges explained: "The current application is much reduced in scale, which has taken into account the inspector's comments.

"In terms of loss of privacy and amenity, the distances involved would not lead to any significant detrimental impact.

"For the above reasons the application is duly recommended for conditional permission."

The applicants, who asked not to be named because of the nature of their work, declared themselves ecstatic at the decision, saying they hoped it would bring an end to 18 months of difficulties.

"Our planning application has been successful but still we are being hounded by statements to the press from our neighbours," they told the Gazette.

"This is a small extension that has been passed by all concerned and will not have a detrimental effect on anybody.

"Stroud District Council has been very helpful in all correspondence and has gone out of its way for us. All we can do is commend them."