A furious row has erupted in a quiet town, with residents complaining ‘overbearing’ new build homes are imposing on their privacy.

Homeowners in Tuckingmill, Cornwall, say they are forced to keep their curtains closed as the new houses overlook their bedrooms with reports of builders waving to children through the windows.

A Cornwall Council meeting was told that part of a huge development of 87 homes is almost two metres higher than originally planned and is impacting the lives of people living below the site.

It’s some 1.6metres above what residents expected, due to the capping of a shaft on what was previously a mine.

Case officer Peter Bainbridge said in his report to councilllors: “Residents on Chapel Road and Chapel Close are affected by the increased levels and by alterations to the bank between the development and the houses. These houses are set down below the development, so the increase in levels appears more marked.

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“The bank was to provide a landscaped buffer between the houses and the development. This has not been protected in accordance with the approved landscaping plan. There has been a significant change in outlook for these residents.” 

Planning consultant Euan Kellie, on behalf of Developer Salboy, told the west sub-area planning meeting in Camborne on Monday (October 16) that, as result of residents’ concerns, the developer has introduced a programme of additional mature tree planting which will block existing residents’ views of the housing.

There would also be a Cornish hedge and stone walling to ensure Chapel Road residents are “facing a scheme of the highest quality”.

However, this hasn’t stopped the backlash against the development.

Local member Cllr Peter Perry told the meeting: “How you’re ever going to plant mature trees in that position on that slope, I do not know.”

He said the new houses look directly into the rear upstairs windows of homes on Chapel Close, CornwallLive reports. “To retain their privacy, residents have to keep their upstairs curtains and blinds permanently closed. I’ve visited and I’ve seen workmen level with me waving at the children in those bedrooms.

“In addition to the increased land height, residents are concerned that the earth works on the site appear not to have been well compacted down. Last week we had some moderate rain – as a result, a river of mud flowed from those earth works down into Chapel Road and flooded the whole road. Is this going to happen again when we have heavier rain throughout the winter?”

However, a number of councillors weren’t happy with the effect of the change in levels.

Local member Cllr Peter Perry started his speech by putting into context the almost two-metre difference, saying it was two versions of the tables members were sat at. He said the buffer between Chapel Row and the new houses was very small. “How you’re ever going to plant mature trees in that position on that slope, I do not know.”

He said the new houses look directly into the rear upstairs windows of homes on Chapel Close. “To retain their privacy, residents have to keep their upstairs curtains and blinds permanently closed. I’ve visited and I’ve seen workmen level with me waving at the children in those bedrooms.

“In addition to the increased land height, residents are concerned that the earth works on the site appear not to have been well compacted down. Last week we had some moderate rain – as a result, a river of mud flowed from those earth works down into Chapel Road and flooded the whole road. Is this going to happen again when we have heavier rain throughout the winter?”

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Meanwhile Cllr John Thomas said: “I definitely won’t support it – there are too many risks there for the public safety of the residents below.”

Cllr Loveday Jenkin agreed: “Concerns about earth moving on that site have been raised by numerous people over a lot of the time that works have been happening on site. Now we’re told it’s not within planning permission what they’ve done on site and we’re expected to nod and approve it. I don’t think in all conscience that I could support this, allowing the levels to remain higher.”

Others argued the changes to the site were ‘too late’ due to the area already being ‘bulldozed’ and the structures in place.

Nick Russell, representing Salboy, said the developer was aware of concerns among neighbouring residents and was committed to having an open dialogue with them. “Approval of this amendment would allow us to deliver the first phase of this important site, which could ultimately open up key regeneration elements for the area.”

The committee voted to defer for a site meeting before making a decision.

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