A PLANNING committee has approved for a garden outbuilding to become a self-contained annexe in a Hampshire village.

Councillors were split on a decision to approve the plan, at Chase Grove, Waltham Chase, but the committee's chairman, Cllr Jane Rutter, approved the plan.

Winchester City Council's planning committee met on July 20 and heard concerns about the building overlooking neighbouring properties.

Neighbour to the property, Helen Wilkie said: “As neighbours, we feel this retrospective application is an abuse of process. The occupiers never intended to use this building as incidental. Its sole purpose was to be a separate dwelling.

“We, as neighbours, were not given the opportunity to discuss the implications. We are totally uncomfortable with this building, it's very intrusive.

“It was built in February this year. The doors and windows point to all the neighbouring properties. The occupiers have a clear view into living space. We can't enjoy the garden like we used to. It doesn't match any of the buildings in the vicinity.”

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Sam Charles, from Shedfield Parish Council, said: “The development destroys the enjoyment of neighbouring properties. We ask the city council to not permit the application.”

Cllr Frank Pearson, had concerns for the application, submitted by Gemma Holmes.

He said: “To be quite frank, I not not like this application at all. It's a nightmare scenario. From my point of view, it's completely alien to that area.

“I'm concerned about the change of use. It was designed as an outbuilding, but now it's going to become an annex. It has to be laid down that it can only be used by family members of the main property.”

Cllr Brian Laming thought it was an overdevelopment of the site.

Cllr Rutter said: “There are no material planning reasons to object this, but I do have complete sympathy for the neighbours.”

Members voted four for and four against, so Cllr Rutter agreed to approve the application.

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