A COUPLE returned from their holiday to discover a new build estate with 129 houses built next door.
Martine Le Barth, 75, and her husband say their mental health has taken a dive and claim that people can see into their bedroom.
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The couple moved to South Molton’s Parklands estate in Devon in 1992.
Martine claims they were given assurances that the land behind their home would remain undeveloped.
But they were “flabbergasted” when they returned home from a six-month holiday and saw two-storey houses built next to their bungalow.
They say the ongoing construction of the new homes have robbed them ‘their privacy’ – adding that they have been awaken with loud banging at 7am.
read more on nightmare builds
Martine said: “My mental health has been really affected and my sleeping pattern too.
”It is getting me awake at night. Over three nights I must have managed to sleep 6 or 7 hours at the most – it is bad.
“Our house went from being the most desirable to the least desirable with those big buildings so close to us.”
The new houses are part of Tilia Homes’ Cashmere Park development, which was approved by North Devon Council in 2021.
The scheme includes 129 two to four-bedroom homes, more than 20 per cent of which will be affordable housing.
The development will also feature two acres of public open space, a children’s play area and biodiversity enhancements.
But Martine claims they were unaware of any formal consultation on the current scheme.
She stated: “We were flabbergasted when we came back after Christmas and saw that they built two-story houses next us very very close.
“The problem is we didn’t know what was going on because they sent us the wrong plan originally which was for another development and then there was a consultation which I assumed was when we were gone for six months when our granddaughter was born.
“But then I’ve realised it was in the summer 2021 when we were here and it says in the minutes of the consultation that no neighbours were there – no wonder because no one was told about it.”
At first the family’s problems began with the banging noises from the builders who would start at 7am and wake them up – taking a toll on the family’s mental health.
But despite the loud banging issue being resolved, light into the family’s bedroom, study and garden has been blocked by the new development, said Martine.
She added that she is now unable to dry her clothes outside as the properties block the sun from her garden.
She said: “I have been really upset about it. They blocked the sunshine as well because they are on the western side of us so I can’t put my washing to dry on the line anymore.
“There is no light coming to the family’s study.
“My grandchildren came for three weeks and when it is sunny we eat in the garden. Those people will see us directly.”
She claims that despite complaining to the planning department, their requests “have been ignored”.
Martine said: “We’ve asked for some frosted windows because we have lost all privacy – they have got a view of our bedroom and the study.
“They actually look down into our rooms, our living quarters. Our request for frosted windows as been ignored.”
Moving out would be a “tall order”, added Martine, who says they will likely keep living in the house.
She said: “I think we will stay there and live next to those houses but our own house will have lost a lot of value and when we die our children won’t get the value the house could have had in the first place.
“Our house went from being the most desirable to the least desirable with those big buildings so close to us.”
A spokesperson for Tilia Homes said: “As a considerate developer, Tilia Homes is committed to minimising disruption to local residents while delivering much-needed homes in South Molton.
“We understand that construction activity can be challenging for neighbours, and we are actively working to ensure any impact is kept to a minimum.
“Our Cashmere Park development, approved by North Devon Council in 2021, will deliver 129 two to four-bedroom homes, with over 20 per cent allocated as affordable housing.”
The company said how the scheme includes two acres of open public space and the retention of mature trees.
“We have also pledged more than £1.4 million in community contributions for education, public transport, and local infrastructure improvements.
Tilia insisted that construction is being carried out in accordance with the approved planning layout.
The company also stated that building work is carried out from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
The spokesperson added that if residents see workers building outside of the specified working times that they should contact Tilia.
Tilia’s spokesperson added: “We sincerely appreciate residents’ patience during construction, and we will be contacting Mr and Mrs Le Barth to discuss their concerns directly with them.”
The developer said there had been no amendments to the application since its approval in 2021 and the local planning authority conducted the required consultation process with residents at the time.
A spokesperson for North Devon Council said: “This matter is currently being dealt with through our feedback and complaints procedure.
“However, the impact of new development on existing and future residents is a matter that is duly considered by planning officers as part of the planning process.”
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