New houses which could be overbearing to neighbours have had an objection from the Town Council.

The planning application is to vary a condition of a proposal for new houses at the land adjacent to Woodpeckers in Cupernham Lane.

This would involve increasing the height of the properties, which Romsey Town Council's planning committee thought would have an adverse impact on the surrounding residents.

At the meeting on September 30, Cllr Janet Burnage said: “It has raised it up, so now the residents in the new houses are overlooking into the neighbouring properties in Treviglio Close. They are putting the bedroom suit in the roof, so they are increasing the height." 

The council decided this was grounds to submit an objection to Test Valley Borough Council. 

In an objection on the council website, Sue Mullane said: “Romsey and District Society planning committee wishes to register objection to the proposal to allow for changes to plans for plots 5 and 6 on the grounds of overlooking and loss of privacy.

“Plots 5 and 6 in the original application were for two storey four bedroomed houses. These have now morphed into three storey five bedroomed houses on this new application. They also have a larger footprint than in the original scheme that was approved.

“People who purchased houses and now live in Treviglio Close are rightly upset at this change.”

Some residents have submitted objections.

READ MORE: Work on house to start despite concerns from Romsey Town Council

Matt and Steph Carter, of Treviglio Close, said: “One of the plots in question in this application has been amended to include windows on the third floor which will, if granted, substantially overlook our property. A third floor with additional windows will create a direct view into our living space and bedrooms which we will be unable to block in any way, such as with garden planting, due to the height and angle. We would argue that such a case of being overlooked is unacceptable to be granted.”

Nav Dosanjh and James Bricknell, of Treviglio Close, said: “Overlooking, particularly given that the ground level of the proposed properties is already significantly higher than ours.
“The inclusion of windows on the third floor are concerning as they will create a direct view into our bedrooms and our living space, and will allow a direct view into every part of our garden. Whilst there are a couple of protected trees between our property and the proposed plots, these will provide little to no protection during the winter. The angle of one of the plots is such that even if we were to try and plant some trees at the end of our garden to provide a degree of privacy, they will still be able to look into our property.”

To view the plans online, search 22/02109/VARS on Test Valley Borough Council's planning portal.