The couple submitted a retrospective planning application for the outbuilding and decking which drew six objections from two properties, while two neighbours from one household supported the application
A couple have been ordered to put up a fence to block their neighbours’ view after building a luxury shed in their garden without proper planning permission.
The shed, which has a floor-to-ceiling glass door and a timber pergola covering a sprawling 22ft decking area, was constructed on the site of an old greenhouse in the couple’s back garden in Monmouth, Wales in September 2023. It is furnished with a sofa and workstations.
But neighbours soon lodged complaints about the height of the structure, leading the local council to step in. Following a planning meeting, the couple have been told they must now build a ‘privacy screen’ to shield the structure from their neighbours’ view.
Applicant Llinos Ndlovu said in her application that the narrow room, measuring just 2.74 metres (8.9ft) from front to back, was constructed for her and her husband to work from home.
She also gave assurances that the structure, situated about 30 metres (98ft) from their house at the elevated end of their sloping garden, will “never be used for housing or residential purposes and is for the sole purpose of office space for myself and my husband”, reports Wales Online. It was described as having no facilities other than electricity and internet access.
Ms Ndlovu said the couple only realised planning permission was required when they were contacted by Monmouthshire County Council’s planning department earlier this summer, after it launched an investigation following a tip-off from a local resident.
In response the couple submitted a retrospective planning application for the outbuilding and decking, which drew six objections from two properties while two neighbours from one household supported the application.
Local councillor Steve Garratt requested the application be brought before the council’s delegated panel to examine the “amenity impact”.
Objecting neighbours branded the shed as “too high and overbearing”. They also argued its height enables overlooking into their garden, while also suggesting it could potentially be used for business purposes in future.
In her report recommending approval with conditions, Monmouthshire council planning officer Helen Etherington noted that the sloping garden causes the shed to “appear taller” when viewed from the house and creates visual prominence when seen from the neighbour’s garden due to the low boundary wall.
She said a two-metre high willow “privacy screen” must be erected along the boundary with the neighbouring property and maintained as a planning condition.
Regarding concerns about potential business use, Ms Etherington’s report clarified that the permission solely permits “uses ancillary to the residential dwelling”.