A couple in Monmouth, Wales, has been instructed to erect a fence to obstruct their neighbors’ view following the construction of a lavish shed in their yard without obtaining proper planning permission. The shed, featuring a floor-to-ceiling glass door, a timber pergola covering a spacious 22ft decking area, and furnished with a sofa and workstations, was built on the grounds of a former greenhouse by the couple in September 2023.
After complaints from neighbors about the structure’s height, the local council intervened. In a planning meeting, the couple were directed to install a ‘privacy screen’ to shield the shed from view. The application submitted by Llinos Ndlovu stated that the small room, measuring 2.74 meters in length, was designed for her and her spouse to use as a home office.
The couple claimed they were unaware of the need for planning permission until contacted by the Monmouthshire County Council’s planning department, prompting them to file a retrospective planning application. While the application garnered two supportive responses from neighbors in one household, objections were raised by neighbors who deemed the shed as too tall and imposing.
Local councillor Steve Garratt requested a review of the application to assess its impact on the area’s aesthetics. Concerns were raised by objecting neighbors about potential business activities in the shed and its ability to overlook their garden. The planning officer, Helen Etherington, recommended approval with conditions, including the erection of a two-meter high willow ‘privacy screen’ along the boundary with the neighboring property.
Addressing worries about commercial use, Etherington clarified that the permission granted was strictly for residential ancillary purposes.