‘It’s an enormous black shoebox,’ fume neighbours over plan to bulldoze picturesque cottage for Grand Designs-style home
NEIGHBOURS are furious that a picturesque cottage is being bulldozed and replaced by an “enormous black shoebox”.
The Grand Designs-style project has been backed by planners for being “architecturally innovative” even though fellow villagers blasted it as an eyesore.
Objectors say the planned building’s location in the stunning Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Welsh coast near Swansea would “grossly affect” the picturesque landscape.
Planners say the existing Cobwebs cottage – sold in March last year for £830,000 – had lost its “character and charm” with a series of extensions.
And they say that although its proposed replacement is “overall mass and height is clearly bigger” it “sits quite comfortably in the plot” and will not impact on neighbouring properties.
Objector David Patton said the existing cottage was single-storey and the new building would be in vast contrast.
He added that replacement homes on the Gower Peninsular should not be “boxy” or have a more significant impact than their predecessors.
Mr Patton said: “From the road this just looks like an enormous dark brown or black shoebox.”
It would be another “so-called contemporary” home in the area, some of which “looked more suitable to be in Johannesburg with their large imposing iron gates and high walls,” he added.
He also shared concerns that construction work could damage two Cypress trees and that locals worry the new house could become an Airbnb rental property.
The new plot owners Edward and Rebecca Hayward wanted to move to Gower, where she was from, and loved the “beautiful plot and wonderful views,” said Glen Thomas, director of Glen Thomas Architecture.
He added that the couple opted to replace the property because the cottage was “in such a poor state of repair” and couldn’t meet the high environmental standards they sought.
He said the new home’s substructure would be used from material taken from the demolished cottage.
The building will comprise of stone, concrete panels, charred larch cladding and green roofs.
The replacement property will also have an air source heat pump, solar panels, high performance windows, living green walls and new surrounding greenery.
How can I challenge a neighbour's development?
IF a new or existing structure is blocking light from entering your home, you have a right to challenge it.
The first thing you should do is have a word with your neighbour – they might not realise the impact it has on your home.
If they’re unwilling to reach an agreement, you have the right to take legal action – but bear in mind that this can be expensive.
First you could try a mediation service, which acts as a neutral third-party to help opposing sides find a compromise.
RICS has set up a Neighbour Disputes Service to negotiate agreements between homeowners.
If you decide to take further action, you’ll need to hire a professional right to light specialist who can assess the impact of the development.
If you raise the issue before construction starts, the need for natural light can be taken into account and avoid court action and solicitors.
But even if building work is finished, neighbouring homeowners can raise a right to light claim for compensation or alterations, so long as evidence is submitted.
If it gets as far as the courts judges can award either financial compensation or order alterations to restore natural light.
The amount of compensation available will vary depending on the situation.
A flat roof will also be added – which is two-and-a-half metres lower than a traditional pitched roof.
“We have really tried to lower the visual impact and sink it into the site,” he said, so the property would be “an architecturally innovative, highly sustainable family home.”
The planning committee visited the site and approved the demolishment of the cottage for the new two-storey family home.
NEIGHBOURS AT WAR Worst UK neighbour rows from 'Monster mansion' that looked like Travelodge to 'chapel-like' window
THERE’S nothing worse than moving into a new home only to realise you’ve moved next door to the neighbours from hell.
These Brits found themselves in arguments with their street over anything from wildly decorated gardens to flouted planning rules.
Here’s a few of the best:
‘EYESORE’ DINOSAUR
A DAD’S efforts to keep his son happy left his neighbours fuming after he installed a 10ft T-Rex model in his front garden.
It was made worse by the luminous blue shipping container it was placed on top of.
“Why on earth can’t he plant a bed of daffs (daffodils) in his front garden, like anyone else would?” one neighbour asked.
“Even a few garden gnomes would look better.
“I mean, let’s be honest, it’s not really appropriate for a garden in Bristol.”
HELMET TREE
AN OAP has vowed to next chop down his 30ft tree even after neighbours slammed the helmet-shaped greenery.
Peter Davis, 72, says his massive cedar dubbed ‘The Big Fella’ has been the talking point of the Norfolk town for decades.
And while many love it – and tourists stop to snap pics – some think it’s an eyesore.
That’s because the tree in Wymondham has been chopped so vehicles driving by don’t hit it – and it now looks like a massive helmet.
Peter, a former company director, said: “The tree has become part of the local landscape – everybody knows about it – especially bus drivers who have to avoid it.”
CHAPEL WINDOW
HOMEOWNERS were embroiled in a row over a “church-like” window included in a neighbours extension.
The 10ft high first-floor window looks straight into their neighbours’ properties.
Plans show it will be for Mark Waddilove and Helen Fitt’s new master bedroom suite.
Miss Fitt is said to have told neighbours in Colehill, Wimborne, Dorset, she plans to practice her yoga there.
But residents Rob and Margaret Langdown say they were blindsided by the development and have accused officials of failing to put up planning notices in their road ahead of granting it permission.