Homeowner appeals after council refuses balcony plan over privacy

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

A homeowner in Bradford on Avon has launched a planning appeal after Wiltshire Council rejected permission for a first-floor balcony above an existing rear extension. The proposed 8.4 square metre outdoor space would be accessed through new patio doors.

Planning officers accepted the scheme's design, scale and appearance, but concluded it would result in unacceptable overlooking of neighbouring gardens and harm residents' privacy. The council said people using the raised platform could look directly into nearby gardens from an elevated position, creating a level of overlooking 'materially different' from views available through the existing first-floor window. Officers said the proposal conflicted with Core Policy 57 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy and national planning guidance on protecting residential amenity.

However, the homeowner argues the council's concerns are overstated and that the proposal would have little practical impact on neighbours. In a statement to the Planning Inspectorate, the appellant points out that officers accepted the balcony as a 'light touch' development that would integrate well with the property and surrounding area, raising no objections over design, scale, overshadowing or loss of light. The appeal centres solely on whether the balcony would create unacceptable overlooking.

How it is being reported

• Homeowner's balcony plan refused because of views into neighbours' gardensA homeowner has launched a planning appeal after Wiltshire Council refused permission for a first-floor balcony.Gazette & Herald · 10 Oct, 05:00
• Homeowner's balcony plan refused because of views into neighbours' gardensA homeowner has launched a planning appeal after Wiltshire Council refused permission for a first-floor balcony.Wiltshire Times · 10 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Wiltshire Council · Bradford on Avon · Planning Inspectorate · Wiltshire Core Strategy

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem