Residents push for action over ‘illegal’ house

Neighbours living in Rochdale Road at Ripponden, West Yorkshire, have complained about a house which was built behind another property called Wildacres.

The new house is not authorised because it has not been built in accordance with the planning permission previous granted.

The applicant, a Mr Stephens, is now seeking retrospective permission for the building.

But neighbours say the building is overbearing, is higher than originally approved, closer to Wildacres than approved and has led to a loss of privacy.

Parish councillors have also objected to the house, saying the design is inappropriate and claiming it is too close to the road.

Councillor Robert Thornber said the plans still have an overbearing effect on neighbours.

Members of Calderdale Council’s planning committee will discuss what to do next at a meeting on Tuesday, June 19.

In a report, head of planning Geoff Willerton says the house differs from the approved plans in six respects, including its height and width.

The report says that the applicant agreed to remove the roof and the room within the roof above the garage.

It says that “complete demolition would be a disproportionate response” and that other options should be considered, such as the removal of the entire main roof and the rooms within.

An altered roofline and the removal of accommodation above the garage, together with enhanced landscaping, would not have an undue adverse impact on neighbours, the report adds. It concludes that the proposed changes are considered to be acceptable. Councillors may accept or reject this recommendation.

It concludes the building should be permitted on condition that changes are made within three months.