Extension Approved Despite Neighbour's Concerns

Wokingham Borough Councils planning committee has approved plans for a two-storey extension to a semi-detached house on Milton Road, Earley, despite neighbour objections.

The scheme, voted through on Wednesday, October 14, will see the existing garage, shed and utility room demolished to make way for the extension. The revised plans leave just a 40cm gap to the boundary, below the councils one-metre design guidance. Earley Town Council also objected, saying it would create a terracing effect along Milton Road and sit too close to the next door property.

A neighbour told the meeting they had "paid a premium price" to buy a house in the street but feared the extension would be "completely overbearing and "spoil" their views.

A neighbour speaking at the meeting said: "This massive double extension will be completely overbearing, ruin my views and destroy the character of the street.

"Leaving such a small gap between the extension and my boundary means the eaves will overhang my property and make it physically impossible for me to build an extension in the future. If my other neighbour were to do the same, the properties would become entirely enclosed, creating a terraced effect.

"The structure will block vital sunlight, reduce light to my rear kitchen window, affect airflow and cause extensive overlooking into my garden.

"Our property was completely omitted from the daylight and privacy assessments, and I urge the council to refuse this application."

Planning officers accepted the shortfall in separation but said the revised design would mitigate the impact. They pointed to other extensions on Milton Road built close to boundaries, and argued the reduced width, set-back from the front and lower hipped roof would provide "visual relief", reducing the potential for a terracing effect.

Councillor Martijn Andrea said the revised scheme was "more modest" than the original application and appeared to take account of concerns raised previously. Planning officers recommended approval, concluding the design would not cause unacceptable harm to neighbours privacy, access to daylight or the character of the area. Councillors unanimously approved the scheme.

It is the second time in as many months that plans for an extension on Milton Road have come before the planning committee. In September, councillors voted four to two to approve retrospective plans for an enlarged six-bedroom house on the same road, despite some members describing the extension as "startling" and "overpowering".

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter