A feud has erupted amongst neighbours over the proposed addition of a roof terrace to a block of flats amid fears it will ruin bookings for Airbnb owners.
Attempts by owners of the block of flats in Poole Harbour, Dorset, to add a roof terrace and several balconies to their three-storey property, have received large opposition by the owners of neigbouring luxury rental properties.
The early 19th century three-storey house is located in the middle of the exclusive peninsula in the ‘millionaire’s row’ of Sandbanks.
Airbnb owners fear the luxury add-ons will overlook their own balconies, put people off from making bookings and massively hit their incomes.
The property had previously been converted into five flats but now the owners wish to jointly expand their homes by building a large two-storey side extension that will fill the plot and include a large roof terrace.
Each flat will receive an upgrade of an extra bedroom, and additional balcony.
But plans have been met with 10 letters of objection, including three from the block of flats next door.
The neighbours say it is ‘inappropriate overdevelopment’ that will adversely impact their privacy, outlook and light.
The early 19th century three-storey house is located in the middle of the exclusive peninsula in the ‘millionaire’s row’ of Sandbanks
Airbnb owners fear the luxury add-ons will overlook their own balconies, put people off from making bookings and massively hit their incomes
An artist’s impression of the proposed extension with the controversial roof terrace
Carolyn Storme, who uses her flat as a holiday rental said the development would lead to a significant loss of income, especially as her large roof terrace will lose all its privacy.
‘This may also impact the light to our flat/terrace, but the most critical issue for us is the privacy,’ said Storme
‘We run our flat as a business, with holiday rentals all year round.
‘This is a huge project that will no doubt take many months to complete and our holiday lettings agent will likely have to redirect potential tenants to other properties for that time, causing significant loss of income and reputation for our business. ‘
Mark Fearon, who also has a flat he rents out as a holiday let said: ‘More importantly there is a concern that the sheer size of the extension will impact the light to our flat and balcony which will destroy value and saleability of the flat itself.
‘We believe that the scale and mass of the new building is out of character with the surroundings.
Prof Kay Davies, who lives in the same block of flats, said the extension looked unsympathetically ‘bolted on’ creating an ‘asymmetrical and unbalanced facade’.
Katrina Thom, one of the owners of the flats has claimed it’s not a money grabbing scheme.
Artist impression of the extension that has been met with 10 letters of objection, including three from the block of flats next door.
Owners of the flats looking to extend, say people have misunderstood some of the plans
A decision on the unpopular application is due to be made in the near future
‘I think people have misunderstood some of the plans and they want to ‘enhance the living conditions and energy efficiencies of the flats and generally make better use of the land available’, said Thom.
‘The roof of the garage is not going to be a terrace, it will be natural planting – like a wildflower grass roof.
‘I already have a balcony and so does the flat at the top and all additional balconies will have privacy screening to prevent overlooking or looking into.
‘We are just average working people, I have been a resident here nearly 20 years, my son, daughter-in-law and grandson also live in one of the flats.
‘We didn’t want to do what most people do on Sandbanks, we are trying to support buildings not being knocked down and more units put up but we all need a bit more room.
‘We are not developers doing this to make money, we are doing this to stay in our homes.’
The extension application is currently being considered with a decision due to be made in the near future.
