‘Garden grabbing’ house-build halted

Oldham Planning Committee reports by Richard Hooton
WORK to build a house at the rear of 312 Den Lane, Springhead, was halted as it was being constructed one-and-a-half yards closer to a neighbour than it had permission for.

A new planning application was submitted but five letters of objection complained that it would affect neighbours’ daylight and privacy and the use of a footpath for vehicle access was dangerous.

Objector Paul Brady, speaking on behalf of neighbours, said it was a clear case of garden grabbing, would affect property prices by £20,000 and they did not want any property on the land. Planning officers said the new proposal was acceptable.

But Councillor Rod Blyth said it rankled with him how frequently developments are built in the wrong place and suggested councillors should take a stand.

Colleagues agreed to Councillor John Battye’s recommendation to refuse the application because it wasn’t being built according to the original specifications causing a loss of amenity, such as outlook, to neighbours. Planning officers will take action to enforce the decision.