Residents fear more ‘garden grabbing’ (From Thisisdorset)

Residents fear more ‘garden grabbing’

3:16pm Wednesday 5th July 2006

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RESIDENTS who unsuccess-fully fought plans for a bungalow at the bottom of their gardens fear they will soon be surrounded.

Residents of Victoria Gardens, Ferndown, attended a planning appeal last week to object to plans for a second bungalow in a back garden in Victoria Road.

They thought they had defeated the developer when first East Dorset council and then a planning inspector rejected the original plans for a bungalow 18 metres from their properties.

But permission was later awarded after Lime Properties moved the bungalow back to 21 metres. Now there is every chance a second bungalow will be built next door.

Hazel Maggs and Doris Rollett objected to the plans for a second bungalow at the recent appeal, but have no confidence in the planning system.

"It was a farce," said Doris, who has lived in the cul-de-sac since 1969. "When we saw the verdict of the first appeal, we were delighted. But we fear the worst now as a precedent has been set."

Hazel, who has lived there for 14 years, said: "The more people stand up to this garden-grabbing, the better. You wonder how long before there are bungalows at the bottom of them all."

Gary Spicer, managing director of Lime Properties, said: "I understand residents' concerns but remember their houses were once back garden developments.

"We believe we've met all the guide-lines and there's no reason to refuse these plans. If it wasn't us, it would be somebody else."

He said he knew of several more residents of Victoria Road who were interested in selling part of their back gardens and added: "Victoria Road wants it, Victoria Gardens doesn't we've had letters of support as well as opposition."

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