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Summer House Demolished After Neighbor Feud
25 Nov
Summary
- Homeowner forced to demolish summer house after neighbor complaint.
- Retrospective planning permission was refused by the council.
- The saga has cost the homeowner approximately £3,000 so far.
A homeowner faced the demolition of his summer house after an 18-month battle with a neighbor who reported the structure to Exeter City Council. Andrew Causley replaced a children's playhouse with the summer house, seeking retrospective planning permission which was ultimately refused. The council cited that the structure was 'out of character' and 'inconsistent with the street scene'.
Mr. Causley expressed bafflement at the situation, noting the summer house was no larger than the previous playhouse and had the same footprint. He stated the dispute has cost him approximately £3,000 and expressed frustration with what he described as "heavy-handed bureaucracy" by the council.
The summer house, which featured two wicker sofas and no electricity, was built to capture the evening sun. Mr. Causley and his wife intend to appeal the enforcement notice, emphasizing their efforts to maintain their garden as a natural haven, contrasting it with other properties that have been paved over for parking.
