By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a West Bridgford home extension branded “unreasonable” by neighbours have been given the go-ahead by councillors.
Neighbours believe the size and scale of the plans for number 17 Alford Road will have an “overbearing impact” on nearby properties.
Applicant Graeme Pedlar wants to build a first and ground floor extension with a Juliet balcony, that will project 4.9 metres from the rear of the home.
Similar plans for the home which never came to fruition were approved in 2014. The house already has a two-storey side extension and a separate single-storey rear extension.
But a meeting of Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Planning Committee heard neighbour Paul Sweeney describe the plans as “unreasonable”.
He added: “Such an extension so far back, so high up and only a meter away from my neighbouring property, is unprecedented on Alford Road, and in my opinion and excessive.
“I consider it to be over intense and overshadowing.
“With regards to the balcony, I am opposed to this. We all enjoy sitting in our gardens in fine weather. I simply do not wish to do this while being overlooked by or overlooking my neighbours.”
In a statement read out during the meeting, the councillor for West Bridgford North Penny Gowland, said: “When I was first elected, I was surprised by the number of large extensions being applied for in West Bridgford and disturbed by many of the designs.
“Since then, I have realised that most residents are unhappy about the large extensions being built and think they are out of keeping with the character of the area.
“It is changing the nature of many back gardens with the extent of overlooking amassing being shocking in some places.
“We need to draw a line somewhere. This particular extension is not as large as many, and the applicants have engaged with me.
“However, this extension will still be overbearing on the neighbours who are very upset about it.”
But Graeme Pedlar said planning permission for similar proposals had previously been granted.
He added: “It is very much designed to be in keeping [with the area] and in fact vastly improves the rear of the house.
“I have purchased a sun tracking app which proves there is little if any impact on sunlight into number 15.
“We have a firm belief in the appropriateness, in terms of design and impact.
“Councillor Gowland and Councillor Bushman appear to have been strongly petitioned to raise their objections.”
Plans for the extension were approved by the committee.
