This photograph was taken from our garden. Before anyone asks - our house was pink when we moved in and...ermmm...we haven't got round to repainting it yet! To give some idea of scale, notice the fence you can see underneath the nice white uPVC door - it is six feet high! It's important to remember that the house is built at least 2.13 metres higher than its original permission allowed - i.e. the one he was in breach of. In actual fact, the blurb with that application specifically said that ALL the windows you see there would be BELOW the level of our house! One of the justifications given by the planning officer who approved it was that it would be built "at a much lower level than the adjoining property"....
This shot was taken from the woods above our house (where you saw Kevin walking at the beginning of the programme). Kind of speaks for itself really. Remember that blurb with the planning application I mentioned above?
The Bridge. He can see right into our house from it. Strange how the council seem to now think that is entirely OK.
This photograph was taken from our garden. Before anyone asks - our house was pink when we moved in and...ermmm...we haven't got round to repainting it yet! To give some idea of scale, notice the fence you can see underneath the nice white uPVC door - it is six feet high! It's important to remember that the house is built at least 2.13 metres higher than its original permission allowed - i.e. the one he was in breach of. In actual fact, the blurb with that application specifically said that ALL the windows you see there would be BELOW the level of our house! One of the justifications given by the planning officer who approved it was that it would be built "at a much lower level than the adjoining property"....
This shot was taken from the woods above our house (where you saw Kevin walking at the beginning of the programme). Kind of speaks for itself really. Remember that blurb with the planning application I mentioned above?
The Bridge. He can see right into our house from it. Strange how the council seem to now think that is entirely OK.
i'd need to watch the program again to be sure but i dont think there was any indication whatsoever of how close the grand designs build was compared with the neighbouring property.
ReplyDeletei thought the objection must have been unreasonable because the next door house was so far away. turns out its breathing right over you.
Looks a lot more in keeping with the woodland setting than your shocking pink brick bungalow!
ReplyDeleteI would be VERY interested in buying your bungalow, so we could build another property like the one next door, are you interested at all?
ReplyDeleteBarratt: well - I would be able to supply you with all the details of exactly how to go about getting planning permission...
ReplyDeletetreelover: I know the original builder of our house - he wanted to do something much more in keeping with the setting - the council wouldn't let him. Unfortunately I can't lay the blame for the colour at the council's door though ;)
ReplyDeletepresumably there would be no problem getting permission to go as high as next door, he's done you a favour really, would you want to sell?
ReplyDeletebarratt - you can email if you wish
ReplyDeleteA few years ago a small but select band of C4 forum posters left the forum to a new place where they could say what they really thought about programmes without having their views trampled over by heavy handed moderators. We are a friendly bunch of people (with the possible exception of Ms Whypee who eats humble pie) who would love to hear your side of the story. From the photos on your blog its fairly obvious Grand Designs chose not give a fair account of what really went on, so please come over to us and have a look around and if you feel so inclined tell us what really happened.
ReplyDeleteThis is the link to the discussion:-
http://www.forumtowers.com/forum/index.php?topic=546.750
Kind Regards
Mr S Cheesewright
The pictures you took make the mill look extremely close to the fence, how far away is it actually?
ReplyDeleteit is at a slight angle relative to the line of the fence - at its closest point - the wall of the house is around 13 feet away. see the photo taken from the woods above our house. There is to be a raised walkway (in the same manner as the bridge) giving access from the rear to the white side door - so that figure will then reduce when it is completed. Bear in mind the plot is about 160ft wide - so it is something of a mystery why he chose to build so close to us in the first place - could have avoided a lot of grief both to us and himself.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of walkways/balconies - The programme gave the false impression that all the balconies were being removed from the scheme - this is untrue - only the front bedroom balcony on the top floor has been removed - and it remains to be seen whether Chris Ostwald will attempt to built it anyway, and what action the council would take should he do so.
Thanks for your interest.
I must apologise to you NITW as while watching the Grand Designs episode I was on the side of the guy building the water mill. Having seen your photographs and some of the stuff on other blogs about the builder however I am firmly on your side.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe he has been allowed to build that monstrosity so close to your house. I also can't believe the one sided programme that Grand Designs put out.
I really hope you get some justice. It all must be horrendously stressful for you.
Thank you for your kind words trixy. The stress and expense we have had over the last three years has been unbelievable. GD have screwed up big time with this and I think they know it - we are waiting for their full response to our complaint. If it isn't satisfactory we will be taking the matter up at the very least with ofcom. The council are as I say at the top under current investigation so it may take a while but I will not rest until we do get justice. If you feel strongly enough that you were deceived by the programme perhaps you might like to consider making a complaint to channel 4...
ReplyDeleteThanks again
NITW
Just watched this GD and although not entirely impressed with the property itself it goes to show how the planning system can throw up a few random results now and again. Looks like your plot has increased in value now that has been allowed, you will have no problem selling it on. Think yourself lucky because if you did annoy him enough he could have sold the plot for a caravan site. You tried your hardest to throw him a spanner and now have to live your whole life without smiling at your neighbours. They can smile at you though, off the footbridge whilst you eat your cornflakes. My advice, build a better one or sell up and keep your new neighbours happy by not blarting to the council every five minutes. They arent there just for you.....
ReplyDelete