My neighbours hate my 'Grand Designs' mansion – they say it ruins village but they have 'bizarre obsession' with my home
12/10/2024 03:20 AM
A HOMEOWNER has accused his neighbours of having a “bizarre” obsession with his controversial £3million Grand Designs-like mansion.
Henry Middleton built his dream home along North Norfolk’s “Millionaires’ Row” – but fellow residents in Old Hunstanton labelled it an eyesore.
Opponents claim the investment manager’s three-storey property – called the White Cottage – is totally out of character for the area and breaches planning rules.
Middleton, from Lincolnshire, said the situation has been “blown out of proportion” and he feels there has been a “bizarre amount of interest” in the property.
West Norfolk Council approved plans for the multi-storey home to replace a bungalow last year, with Middleton admitting there have also been some “slight” alterations.
These include changes to a balcony and windows and the addition of a basement room – which were all subject of a retrospective planning application.
The village’s parish council has been forced to tell anonymous critics to stop bombarding councillors with abusive calls and messages over the home.
Locals claim the original approval was also for a two not three-storey structure, which Mr Middleton and the council both deny.
However, the retrospective application was refused by councillors on the grounds the neighbouring home was being overlooked.
This is despite the planning officer recommending approval.
Mr Middleton says the decision was down to a small minority of villagers making a nuisance.
He told Eastern Daily Press: “There has been a lot of noise from a small minority.
“It is upsetting, this is the last thing we wanted. We want to be part of the community in the village.
“We feel there has been a bizarre amount of interest in what is a neighbour dispute that has been blown out of proportion.”
He questioned why the two main complainants are so interested as they live on a different street and moved in within the last two years.
However, occupants of homes opposite told EDP they are in agreement with the complaints.
Mr Middleton says he may appeal to the Planning Inspectorate as he feels the planning committee “did not fully understand the situation”.
The unspoilt picturesque village near Kings Lynn – with a population of just 650 – has become a highly-desired hot-spot for people looking for a seaside holiday home.
Middleton’s property – just a few hundred yards from the beach – replaces a chalet bungalow which was used as a guest house.
It was reportedly sold for £900,000 so the site could be redeveloped.
What to do if you want to complain about planning permission
- Head to the gov.uk website and click Planning Inspectorate
- There you can make a complaint about an item from the list below
- Make sure your complaint is issued within a year
What you can complain about
- The standard of service they provide
- The conduct of their staff
- Any action or lack of action by staff affecting an individual or group
- Circumstances where you think their staff have not properly followed Government planning policy or guidance, relevant legislation and our procedural guidance
Outcome
- An apology, explanation and acknowledgement of responsibility
- Remedial action, such as reviewing or changing our service standards; revising published material; revising procedures or guidance; training or supervising staff; or any combination of these
If remain unhappy, you can ask your Member of Parliament to take your complaint to the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
