Neighbours are furious over a man’s plan to build two extensions and a balcony to his semi-detached house and claim it will ruin their privacy.
Adnan Patel, from Blackburn, has got planning permission to add a double-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension, first-floor balcony and front porch to his four-bedroom home.
But some neighbours believe he does not even plan to live in the refurbished pad, suggesting he simply wants to add value to the property, which is on the market for £385k.
One local said the balcony would allow people to peer into his garden – completely destroying his privacy.
Barry Roberts, 78, whose home is adjacent to Mr Patel’s on Ryburn Avenue, told MailOnline: ‘I know he’s had the house on the market so perhaps he wants to sell it with planning permission included.
Councillors have had to step in to resolve a neighbourly dispute over plans to add a double-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension, first-floor balcony and front porch to a Blackburn family home (CGI proposal pictured)
Adnan Patel from Blackburn has put the semi-detached house (pictured) on the market for £385k
As it is currently, the pebble-dash and brick house (right) is in keeping with the rest of the cul-de-sac
‘I can understand him submitting the plans if he was doing it for himself but if he’s just doing to get a better price that’s not the same.’
But the neighbour was most concerned about the proposals for a balcony overlooking the back garden because it could lead to a loss of privacy.
‘There are trees between us at the moment but if they get chopped down in the future it will expose our garden,’ he warned.
Mr Roberts added he was confused why Mr Patel wanted a balcony anyway because sunlight does not fall on his garden so he would be unable to ‘sit out there and enjoy it’.
Seven objections were raised by nearby residents but the planning manager recommended approval on the condition that a fresh application is submitted clarifying the ‘benefit to the neighbours’.
The fresh plans were approved by the council’s planning committee during a meeting on Thursday evening.
One neighbour of Mr Patel, who did not wish to be named, said he was concerned about the size of the extensions, access issues, and overdevelopment.
‘I’m not seeking to aggravate the situation,’ he said, ‘but I think if he’s submitted the plans just so he can put more money in his back pocket that’s wrong.
‘If the plans were about making making a better home for him and his family he’d have more support among residents.’
One resident said she had no objections to the plans but the constant building work in the area created noise, traffic and eyesore issues as projects dragged on.
She said: ‘One house nearby has been left unfinished for years. At another one, they just ripped out the gate posts and left them in the front garden. Then there are lorries going up and down the cul-de-sac all the time.
‘I’ve no objection if people want to improve their homes but they should just get on with finishing the work.’
While some locals had no issue with the development, others also brought up fears that the ‘character’ of the area would be impacted.
CGI images offering a glimpse of what the revamped property could look like are a far cry from its current state as a pebble-dash and brick home – in keeping with the rest of the cul-de-sac.
Picture shows the planned expansion of Mr Patel’s property with a side extension to the left, rear extension behind and a porch at the front
The new proposal would add an extra bedroom to Mr Patel’s house in Bearwood, with the would-be balcony outlined above
The balcony would be built onto the four-bed property’s back garden (pictured)
If the plans become a reality, the home will become a much more modern-looking property, with long windows at the front and a wooden facade.
A report from council planning manager Gavin Prescott has recommended planning approval with seven conditions.
It reads: ‘The proposed development seeks to modernise the existing property, and to extend it through a two-storey side extension, a rear single-storey extension with flat lantern roof (part of the roof to be used as a balcony, with privacy/screening panels), front gable feature, and front porch.
‘Assessment finds that, on balance, the proposal is considered acceptable in terms of its size, scale and appearance.
‘It would not have an unacceptable detrimental impact on the residential amenity of neighbours in terms of light, outlook or privacy, nor would it compromise highway safety or the character and appearance of the street scene.’
Cllr Flloyd said she’d asked the planning committee to look at the plans as she was aware of some neighbours objections and ‘wanted to ensure’ their views were represented.
‘I also want to ensure the democratic process is carried out,’ she said.