A homeowner in Brighton has expressed significant anger after her neighbors were granted retrospective planning permission for a garden platform that she has likened to an "East German lookout tower." The structure, which was expanded and includes a 1.8-meter-high screen, has led to a loss of light in her garden, she claims, causing plants to die.
The homeowner, who wishes to remain anonymous due to ongoing tensions, stated that the "eyesore" has largely left her garden in darkness since its construction. Initially, the neighbors had a staircase, but in 2024, they replaced it with new steps, a larger platform, and a privacy screen.
Brighton & Hove City Council approved the retrospective planning application in November, determining that the structure did not pose "significant harm" to nearby properties. The council acknowledged that the enlarged platform would result in a "slightly greater degree of loss of light and outlook" but concluded that this would not be to an "unacceptable extent" given the structure's "relatively modest scale overall and the distances to neighbouring properties."
Despite the council's assessment, the resident stated that the loss of light has been detrimental to her garden, with one palm tree dying due to insufficient sunlight. She also believes the structure has negatively impacted her property's value and altered her perception of her home.
Objections filed against the development described the structure as an "overbearing structure" that could impact the right to enjoy a home due to noise from increased stair usage. Concerns were also raised about the "poor design," arguing the structure was "out of character with the existing building." Another objection noted that the raised platform, intended as a sundeck, had been transformed into an outdoor entertainment space with invasive views into neighboring gardens and windows.
Issues were also raised regarding the privacy screens, with claims that they were not consistently 1.8 meters high and were constructed from "flimsy split bamboo canes" unsuitable for long-term durability. The quality and scale of the structure were also questioned, with objectors stating it was "too large for the space that contains it."
A spokesperson for Brighton & Hove City Council stated that resident objections are considered during planning application reviews. The council described the application as a "modest proposal for a staircase replacing a previous staircase of the same scale and size and to enlarge the accompanying platform." They maintained that the application "fell within planning guidelines and was not something which warranted refusal."