20ft high metal racking has destroyed the view from a couple’s new house, they complain.
Jenny Mason and Stuart Dodd moved into their £325,000 semi-detached property in April and loved the view of trees and pastures.
A 118ft row of metal racking that looks like a ‘rollercoaster’ was put up on the opposite side of the couple’s fence in Roudham, East Harling, Norfolk.
Jenny, 46, says the’monstrosity’ has made it impossible to enjoy her own yard.
She and Stuart, 48, allege the timber yard intends to place wood on the racking, obscuring their view.
After relocating from Slough, Berkshire, the couple wanted to live peacefully in Roudham.
Mother-of-three Jenny added, “We adored this home when we purchased it.”
We knew a wood yard was over the fence, but that didn’t disturb us. Our ideal house sank.
We could cope with some noise since we lived near Heathrow in Slough.
Three weeks ago, landscape architect Stuart heard digger operators.
He asked what they were doing and was informed they were “building a steel structure.”
Stuart complained at the yard and was assured they had planning permission.
Stuart discovered no application with Breckland Council.
A week later, the pair noticed vibrations while at work.
Jenny noticed a cherry picker and big racks from her bathroom window.
I told them, “What are you doing?” Planning urged them to stop, but they didn’t.
They said they had to keep working since the contractors had been paid and it would be hard to stop midway.
The council forced them apply for retroactive planning approval and barred them from stacking until a decision is reached.
We believe they should demolish it immediately. They built it without authorization and without considering their neighbours.
It damaged our garden. Who wants to see this monstrosity?
‘It’s horrible’ I can’t believe it. Ugly.
“The yard manager became goofy with us and stated the neighbours were cold.
We recognise individuals need to earn a livelihood, but a touch lower wouldn’t hurt. But it’s too high now.’
Stuart claimed they had no idea the corporation planned to erect racking before purchasing their Norfolk house.
If it been up when we looked at the home, we wouldn’t have purchased it.
When we moved home, we added hens and a vegetable plot to the garden.
Three months later, racking came. It’s four homes long. Neighbors are furious.
Nobody received letters or warnings. People ask, “What’s that?”
Fighting it causes us so much worry and concern, and we can only wish the council refuses planning approval and makes them knock it down.
Stuart anticipated that plastic-wrapped wood goods on the racks would rustle in strong winds, generating a noise and an eyesore.
‘You already hear the rustling of plastic on other racks, but these will be closer to our house,’ he remarked.
Phoebe, 21, said the racking spoiled her garden and bedroom views.
If it stays, it must be halved since it makes the home seem contained.
The rack’s added noise and lights will be unpleasant.
NHS workers John and Ameila Raby reject the racking.
John remarked, “We weren’t told anything.” It’s unsightly. It shouldn’t be near neighbours’ homes.
If they’d positioned it farther away, no one would have been impacted. We support local businesses that generate employment. It’s not about destroying businesses. Do the right thing.
Crendon Timber Engineering’s planning filings depict the racking as a ‘long-term investment’
The racking will provide’much needed extra storage space, particularly with the rising housing market,’ according to a design and access statement.
The statement added racking would have ‘little to no influence on the nearby environment, including residential houses’ despite being visible from several Harling Road homes.
The space is presently utilised for storage by the Applicant, thus noise should be limited.
The statement said the racking will enable the company to “operate more effectively with fewer truck movements and a safer alternative to the present storage.”
Branch director said he understood locals’ worries.
He said they had ‘casual chats’ about improving the racking’s look.