Homeowner fails to sell £160k three-bed house after neighbour built extension inches from his detached property

A HOMEOWNER claims he’s been unable to sell his £160,000 three-bed house after a neighbour built an extension inches from his detached property.

Exasperated Neal Robinson, 52, can even touch the wall next door by sticking his arm out of an upstairs window.

He says the “disgraceful” construction by his home in Blackburn, Lancs, has knocked £60,000 off the asking price.

The father of two has only had one offer, of just £98,000, for the property since it hit the market in January 2018, one month after building work began.

‘DISGUSTED’

Blackburn with Darwen Council planning officials approved the extension and maintain there was “no fault” in the decision making process.

The neighbours, a family of six, had the extension done before moving in a year ago according to Neal, who said he has “no relationship” with them.

Neal, who works as a driver, added: “I’m disgusted by the way this has been handled.

“The neighbour’s extension is actually touching the guttering of our house.

“I can reach out and touch it.”

‘PEOPLE TAKE ONE LOOK AT IT AND DRIVE OFF’

He added: “It’s definitely knocked value off the property.

“Ten people have also not turned up when viewings have been arranged and people have actually driven past our home, seen the extension, and decided not to view it.

“We want to move out of the area but we can’t.”

Neal lives in the property on Markham Road with wife Denise, 50, son Scott, 27, and daughter, Emma, 22.

The family first raised concerns about the extension when building work began in December 2017.

Neal says the planning application should never have been approved, adding: “I feel as if my concerns have been disregarded from the start.”

Council planning manager Gavin Prescott said Neal’s complaint has been investigated but insists there was no fault in the council’s decision making process.

He said: “Mr Robinson’s complaint has been fully and thoroughly investigated by both the council and the local government ombudsman.

“The council’s investigation concluded that full consideration had been given to the planning application and all relevant legislation.

“The ombudsman report also concluded that there was no fault in the council’s decision making process.”

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