Latest news with #localissues
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Neighbours' fury as penny-pinching council rules homeowner's illegally built 'monstrosity' dormer is allowed to stay
A woman has been allowed to keep a 'monstrosity' box dormer extension that was built without planning permission after the council removed the enforcement notice because it was 'too costly' to appeal. Furious locals have complained the large development on the property's roof is out of keeping with the rest of the area and overlooks their homes, invading their privacy. They also believe the decision will spark a 'planning free-for-all' with homeowners able to build what they want now and ask for permission later. The row centres on a box dormer - a type of roof extension - at the back of the family home on Upham Road in Swindon, Wiltshire, that was built without permission. In August 2019, homeowner Harjinder Saran was given the go-ahead for the construction of front, side and rear extensions and an outbuilding in the garden. Those buildings went up in 2020 but so did the large box dormer extension, sparking immediate concern from neighbours. One local, who can see the development from her garden and kitchen window, told MailOnline: 'I never expected it to go up so high. 'I thought it was enough when they built the shed in the garden. I don't understand why people think they can just do what they want.' Another resident in a nearby property said he alerted Swindon Borough Council to the 'unauthorised development' while it was still being built five years ago. He said, however, it took the local authority at least two years to issue an enforcement notice and problems then arose surrounding the 'legality' of it. The enforcement notice told the homeowner Mrs Saran that the box dormer extension had not been built in accordance with the 2019 planning application. It read: 'Remove the box dormer from the rear elevation of the dwelling. 'Remove all resultant material from the land following compliance and ensure the development is built in accordance with the approved plans.' The homeowner, however, subsequently appealed the enforcement notice - with the council saying it had been withdrawn earlier this month. A spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council told MailOnline that despite them being 'confident' there had been a 'breach of planning control', it was 'not in the council's best interests to continue with a lengthy and costly appeals process'. Local Iain Melrose, 77, told MailOnline: 'Over four years ago Swindon Borough Council were made aware that this huge box dormer was being built without planning permission. Furious locals have complained the large development on the property's roof is out of keeping with the rest of the area and overlooks their homes, invading their privacy 'Due to severe staff shortages and frankly total incompetence, it took two years to issue a breach of condition enforcement notice. 'Due to more incompetence between enforcement and legal there was an issue with the legality of the enforcement notice. 'My concern is that this monstrosity sets a precedent. I want to ensure that this doesn't happen to other people in future.' Mr Melrose added that he thought the decision to remove the enforcement notice was less about money and more about the 'incompetence of the council'. He claimed that the council knew they would lose the planning appeal as more than four years had passed since the box dormer extension went up. Other residents in the area said they had concerns that the rear roof extension was 'invading their privacy'. One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: 'Our main concern is privacy. It is really high. It is too much. 'They can see right into our property' Others, however, said they were not concerned by the development. One who wished to remain anonymous said: 'It has never bothered us. It has not been a problem. 'We never objected in the first place. We got a letter saying it was being removed in April then we got another one saying it was now fine. 'I can understand why people might be angry. It does stand out quite a lot.' Mrs Saran previously defended the decision to build the box dormer. She told the Swindon Advertiser last year: 'We're not planning to take the box dormer down. We've written to the council but we haven't heard anything back.' Mrs Saran added: 'If you look around Swindon there are box dormers all over the place, because it's too expensive to move. 'This meets all the building regulations and is safe.'
The Sun
27-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Our village is at war over 60ft oak tree – I live in darkness & fear it'll crush my home… but I can't chop it down
VILLAGERS at war with a nightmare 60ft tree have lost their latest battle to get it chopped down. Plans to fell the protected oak, which sits just metres from thatched cottages in Kings Newton, South Derbyshire, have been axed. 3 Residents living next to the "frightening" behemoth in Sleepy Lane have fumed that it could crush their homes. They claim it also causes major sewage issues, problems with the road surface and blocks huge amounts of natural light. It was planted 34 years ago after a 109-year-old tree in the same spot was deemed to be in a dangerous condition and felled. DerbyshireLive reported that the sleepy village is divided by the new oak, which sits next to a public footpath leading into the picturesque countryside. Paul Hackney, whose house is dwarfed by the 30-foot-wide tree, saw his proposal to have it cut down rejected earlier this week. Almost 80 rejection letters were submitted at a South Derbyshire District Council meeting. Opposition was led by Melbourne Parish Council. The "nuisance" tree is expected to reach 300 years old, much to the horror of some locals. Mr Hackney told how the shrub had proved to be a hazard to vehicles after it was recently hit by an Ocado delivery van. He said: "Ultimately it is a tree that has outgrown its position. "It would be better for the residents to resolve the issue and be involved in the future planning of a new tree (if required) without the understandable stress and worry of the current situation." But John Jackson, chair of the residents association, argued that the oak was healthy and did not pose a risk. We're trapped in tiny village after travellers BULLDOZED field for caravan camp Councillors understood the frustrations of locals living in its shadow, but defended keeping the "healthy" tree. Cllr Andrew Kirke said: 'I do have some sympathy for the neighbours. "We have many very large trees but we can't just chop them down in case there is a strong wind. 'We have lots of periods of strong wind while it has been there and trees have fallen down but it has stayed up through all of that. "There is no reason to chop down such a healthy specimen.' Cllr Jayne Davies added: 'It is such a glorious tree. "It has a tree preservation order for a reason and the applicant can come back for a crown or lift or another suitable solution.' It comes as a similar 'Jack and the beanstalk' tree continues to frustrate homeowners in Winchester, Hampshire. 3 Locals in Canon Street slammed the "grotesquely irresponsible" and "ludicrous" 45 foot high oak. But now it has branched into an "out of proportion" eyesore which overshadows the gardens of nearby properties - where the average house price is more than £600,000. However, the council have refused to cut it down and placed it under a protection order. The authorities said residents from a neighbouring street "appreciated" the tree. The decision has sparked outrage among locals who are actually dealing with the daily repercussions of such an overwhelming tree. South Derbyshire District Council has been approached for comment.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- BBC News
Find Out Where to Report a Noise Nuisance
To find who to report noise complaints to, you can click here, external, where you can enter your postcode and it will tell you who to contact.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Surrey university and councils launch lab to tackle local issues
A university and two councils in Surrey have joined forces to launch a new lab to help tackle local University of Surrey and Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils have created a lab at the university's Institute for Sustainability in new lab will link university researchers with council policymakers and teams to identify and tackle issues affecting local McShane, Guildford Borough Council's leader, said: "This partnership gives us the opportunity to bring world-class research into our policymaking process – helping us address complex challenges in areas like infrastructure, sustainability and economic development." The partnership will also look at opportunities to give students studying at the university real-world training and experience by undertaking a paid placement training session at one of the Amelia Hadfield, co-director of the Institute for Sustainability, said: "While our focus is local, those solutions will have potential for regional or national application, and we'll look forward to working together to unleash solutions made in Surrey for the benefit of wider society."Paul Follows, Waverley Borough Council's leader, added: "Whether it's improving services, preparing for future infrastructure needs, or navigating the transition to a greener economy, this partnership allows us to do more, and do it better."
The Sun
06-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Huge ‘Jack & the Beanstalk' tree towers over our homes – it's grotesque & irresponsible… but council won't chop it down
A GIANT "Jack and the beanstalk" tree is ruining locals' lives - but the council won't chop it down. Residents in Winchester, Hants, slammed the "grotesquely irresponsible" and "ludicrous" 45 foot high oak. 9 9 9 They say the tree was planted around 50 years ago by a previous homeowner on Canon Street who just "wanted something to do". But now it has branched into an "out of proportion" eyesore which overshadows the gardens of nearby properties - where the average house price is more than £600,000. However, the council have refused to cut it down and placed it under a protection order. The authorities said residents from a neighbouring street "appreciated" the tree. The decision has sparked outrage among locals who are actually dealing with the daily repercussions of such an overwhelming tree. Orla Williams, 40, moved into her terraced Grade II Listed home with her partner around two years ago. The doctor said after moving in, several residents went to her about the oak. She explained: "They were concerned that it is getting very large and that it could cause damage to their properties and potentially harm to people if it gets any larger, so they wanted it to be taken down. "We applied to the council to have it removed and someone came to look at it. "[The tree officer] said that they want to put a tree protection order on it." The mum-of-two also told how an "awful lot of detritus" falls from the tree in autumn and winter. She added: "We appreciate that the tree is beautiful but it's the wrong tree in the wrong place. "It is quite sad to remove something like that but it is only going to get bigger and potentially cause damage to lots of properties which is the main concern. "The council said they were concerned about removing it because it's one of the only trees in the area. 9 9 9 "All of the local residents seem to be of the opinion that unfortunately, it's the wrong tree in the wrong place." According to a council report, the tree officer visited Orla after receiving notice from the couple that it was due to be felled. But he found the tree met the criteria for a provisional protection order, which was issued in February of this year. A Winchester County Council meeting will take place next week to decide whether the tree status will change or not. There are nine residents in total who have objected to the order. Mark Pocock, a retired resident living on Canon Street, slammed the council's decision to protect the tree as "ludicrous". He said: 'As trees grow older they become more brittle. "If it were to fall and damage properties or persons, I would say the responsibility would be entirely with the council – not the owners of those properties. "I think putting a tree protection order on is grotesquely irresponsible of the council. 'It could be a danger to property and life." Nick Goff, 80, said he fears if the tree continues to grow, the roots underneath will damage a medieval wall in his garden, which was built in the Tudor era. The retired British Airways pilot said: "The issue is that in 10 years time, that will be double the height and double the width. 'It put on six feet last year it it's going to put on another six feet this year." He commissioned an independent report from a tree consultancy business. The report stated while the tree, which is still a "teenager" is in "good physiological condition". But the officer also found it is "a large sized tree in a very small area" and so the tree protection order is "unjustified". The report also stated "the possibility of longer term damage to the retaining walls and footings of the adjacent properties as entirely foreseeable". "Some guy planted this as something to do 40 years ago," Mr Goff continued "Now, we have got Jack and the Beanstalk. "It's not a historic tree – it's a silly mistake." However, the council report issued ahead of next week's meeting claimed these concerns were "speculative" and the tree "contributes meaningfully to local biodiversity and visual amenity". It added: "It is also the last significant tree in an area of land between Canon Street and St Swithun's Street, enhancing the character of the conservation area." Retired resident Graham Rule, 62, blasted the decision as "irresponsible". He said: "We all love trees but that shouldn't be there. "The people who want the protection order, they don't live here – its totally irresponsible." Winchester County Council was contacted for comment. 9 9 9
