Couple hit out at next door's new 'prison wall' they say is blocking their sunlight - as neighbour says planning row has left her unable to live in her house
A planning row has broken out between neighbours over a 'prison wall' — with one woman saying her house is partially uninhabitable and a couple saying they have been robbed of sunlight.
Allyson Halls and William East had no issues when their neighbour Katie Beadle first started work on her home in West Kingsdown, Kent.
But they claim a parapet wall, which was later added to the project, has now blocked their sunlight — and they worry the problem could get worse as they days shorten.
Miss Beadle's builders decided to construct the wall on top of her roof after encountering drainage design problems, making it 70cm higher.
However, they realised this did not comply with the planning permission and so subsequently stopped the work.
Now Mrs Hall and Mr East have been left with a lack of light, while Miss Beadle has been left with a half-finished extension.
Allyson Halls in her bungalow garden in London Road, West Kingsdow, next to the 'prison wall'
The wall was made 70cm higher by Miss Beadle's builders to account for drainage problems
Miss Beadle has subsequently submitted three new applications to change the details of the project.
These include lowering the height of the wall by constructing a larger pitched roof.
But the council, which is still investigating the initial planning breach, has twice refused proposed changes.
The latest application to fix the height issues was put forward in March but has been deferred by planners.
This is despite Miss Beadle saying her 'house is partially uninhabitable'.
Meanwhile, Mrs Halls remains desperate for something to be done to rectify the situation with autumn approaching.
The 63-year-old said: 'As the extension is right on the boundary it is like living next to a prison wall.
'We have a small courtyard garden, only 4.5m deep and the extension was raised over 70cm higher on the boundary than planned. All our sunlight has been taken from us.'
Allyson Halls claims 'all sunlight has been taken from us' as she fears what it might be like in the winter months
Mrs Halls and Mr East objected to the latest planning application, saying they felt the drawings didn't properly catch the measurements.
Subsequently, a council officer visited their property to assess the situation and recommended deferment while the plans are looked at again.
While Miss Beadle declined to comment, the planning application provides insight into her family's position.
It says: 'This application is submitted to try and finally resolve this difficult situation the applicant and her family have been left in.
'They cannot continue to remain in the property in its unfinished state, and this ongoing situation is not in their best interests, or indeed, those of neighbouring properties having to contend with a construction site on their boundary.
Allyson Halls' bungalow garden in London Road, West Kingsdown
'The house is partially uninhabitable, and the occupants are confined to the front rooms.'
Mrs Halls added: 'Our garden is in shadow from October all the way round to March/April in the mornings.
'We've got this prison wall next to us - I just want to have our life back, I just want to be able to sit in my garden.'
The couple want their neighbours to return to the original approved plans.
A council spokesman said officers were currently studying the application and a decision will be made in due course.
