Phil Spencer talks to design expert about planning permission

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Angela Vickers has been caught at the centre of a property dispute after it emerged she and her late husband, Ian Vickers, failed to secure proper permission before building their luxury home. From 2017, the couple spent £250,000 creating their dream home after demolishing an old bungalow situated in a four-acre plot in Hampshire. After the project was complete and featured on the BBC’s Homes Under the Hammer, it emerged that the home exceeded the size the pair had secured permission to build, and extra amenities, including a swimming pool, were installed without approval. Local residents have hit out at the property, claiming the Vickers have been allowed to get away with building “whatever they want”.

The three-bedroom oak-framed home is positioned in a conservation area of the New Forest, a category of land often subject to additional planning regulations.

The lavish property features a huge built-in swimming pool, an extensive patio, a garage, and a cabin in the garden area. When the completed project was featured on Homes Under the Hammer, a local estate agent valued the property at an estimated £1million.

The finished home has since enraged locals after the couple built the property in a different area of their land and at a different angle than had been originally planned.

The building has been found to be 1.2 metres longer than had been approved and extra facilities, including the swimming pool and garden chalet, were installed on the site without the correct planning permission.

After the home was complete, the Vickers applied for a variation of their initial planning application to include the additional features, but their application was denied and they were ordered to demolish the property.

Mrs Vickers, now a widow after her husband died aged 75, instead secured a compromise with the local authority which would reduce the size of the building.

However, the decision has left neighbours infuriated as they feel the couple took advantage by building the property in violation of the original planning terms.

A close neighbour of the home Mark Atwill told the MailOnline: “It wasn’t done considerately. It’s in the wrong place, and it’s the wrong size.”

Read more: ‘Rule’ to achieve a ‘professional’ look when painting any room in home

Speaking of Mr Vickers, the neighbour added: “He’s a conman who’s not around for the backlash. I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but I can’t think of another way to put it.”

Another anonymous local reported: “It’s not personal. The house looks nice, but it shouldn’t be there. It was like living near a warzone when it was being built.”

Another resident Christina Folliard wrote to New Forest National Park Authority to challenge the agreement to reduce the home in size.

She suggested: “It’s encouraging others with similar intent to build whatever they want as the authority clearly has no ability or willingness to prevent or remedy such action.”

The MailOnline reported Mrs Vickers declined to comment on the fierce opinions of her neighbours.

Don’t miss: 
Woman punched by neighbour in row over kids leaving ball marks on car [REPORT]
‘Top things’ buyers look for when searching for a new home [REVEAL]
Six steps for a ‘professional’ finish when painting kitchen cabinets [INSIGHT]

Other residents displayed a more sympathetic attitude toward the couple.

A neighbour, identified only as Mr Fletcher, said: “The enforcement order that required demolition of the new property was wholly disproportionate to any harm caused.

“All that Mr Vickers has done was build a house and a good one at that.

“There was never any subterfuge, the process was open and he invited all comers to come and see it.”

Read next: 
Nine ‘cheap but clever’ improvements to add value to your home
Mum forced to use neighbour’s electricity for 11 days after power cut
Man dies two weeks after fiancée after fire ripped through their home
English ivy is most popular houseplant to remove dust from the air
Couple’s fury as trails of ‘dog mess’ left on front lawn for months

Source: Read Full Article