A homeowner has found out whether he can make extensions to his house after his neighbour complained about previous works and cooking smells.
A homeowner in Chiltern Crescent, Earley, has received a nod to extend his semi-detached house despite objections from a nearby neighbour over privacy concerns and cooking smells.
The owner aimed to add side and rear extensions along with a loft conversion, transforming the property from a three-bed to a five-bed home.
However, the immediate neighbour raised concerns about losing privacy and past issues with cooking odours. These objections led Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee to take up the case.
Councillor Stephen Newton (Liberal Democrats, Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates) stated that the extensions contradicted the borough design guide, insisting that developments must reflect the area’s character and limit overlooking.
He described the proposed gable end roof as 'unacceptable,' echoing sentiments from Tim Marsh of the Whitegates Residents Association, who noted that such a design would be the only one of its kind on a street where most homes have hip-end roofs.
Marsh stated, “Adding a gable end roof would exaggerate an out-of-character and incongruous form of development.”
Despite the objections, planning officer Tariq Bailey-Biggs recommended approval, arguing that cooking odours are not a planning concern and that the extension wouldn’t significantly invade the neighbours' privacy.
He explained, “Mutual overlooking is common in suburbs; it’s not about eliminating visibility altogether.”
On a lighter note, Cllr Wayne Smith (Conservative, Thames) remarked, “Don’t shoot me down, but there are some horrific extensions.”
The plan was unanimously approved on November 12. For more details, you can check the application by entering reference 252161 on Wokingham Council’s planning portal.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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