Residents living behind a new Romsey housing development are frustrated after work continued to extend two houses, despite an application being refused.

An appeal has been lodged over Test Valley Borough Council's refusal of dormer windows and a room in the roof of two houses at a development of nine new houses in Cupernham Lane.

Residents of Treviglio Close were concerned as the extensions overlook their gardens.

The extensions are now almost complete and Treviglio Close resident Patricia Nightingale is concerned that people may have already moved in by the time the appeal has been decided.

Mrs Nightingale said: “There has been such a delay in the appeal being decided, people might be living in them by that point. The developer has just been able to get on with it because there's been such a delay. It's so frustrating.

“It has been very upsetting to witness these events unfolding and see that the planners seem almost powerless. They can only act after the event, by which time it is too late.”

Mrs Nightingale is also upset that one of the trees between her back garden and the housing development had recently been felled.

READ MORE: Plan refused for controversial house extensions

Hampshire Chronicle:

The Treviglio Close resident said: “When a fence was being erected between the two developments, my neighbour noticed that the fencers were chopping at the roots of one of the trees in order to erect a fencepost.

“Work on the fence was halted and the site was attended by an enforcement officer and an arboricultural officer from TVBC. They found that the tree was now unsafe and gave them 36 hours to take it down. It was felled much to the anger of the residents of Treviglio Close.

“We are now concerned for the fate of the other three trees as the fenceposts have been erected within the root protection area.”

A Test Valley Borough Council spokesman said: “The Council is aware of an alleged breach of planning control comprising the installation of second floor dormer windows in new dwellings being built on land just off Cupernham Lane. The Council refused a planning application that sought to regularise the work that had been carried out and it is understood that the applicant intends to appeal that decision. When there is a valid appeal, the matter will be considered by a Government appointed inspector and they will decide whether or not to grant permission for the homes. The position will need to be reviewed by the Council in light of the outcome of an appeal.  

“Any work that is carried out as part of a development, without the benefit of planning permission, is done so at the developers own risk.”

The developer Stratlands Estates was contacted for a comment. 

To read more about the appeal, search 22/02109/VARS on Test Valley Borough Council's online planning portal.