A retired software engineer has ignited a privacy dispute with his neighbors after constructing a balcony that they claim overlooks their garden and bedroom windows. The controversy centers on Ian Bray, who built a balcony on a ground-floor extension of his chalet bungalow in Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset.
Michele Venton, a neighbor who sold her online clothes business for millions in 2019, stated that the balcony allows Mr. Bray to observe her primary seating area in the garden and her rear bedroom windows. She contends that the structure deviates from the approved plans for a Juliette balcony, which is designed with a safety railing flush against the building and inward-opening French doors, allowing only a fleeting view when opened.
"This isn't a Juliette balcony, it is an actual balcony and that isn't what he has planning permission for," Venton said. "What has been built is a violation of the planning permission."
She further explained that a Juliette balcony "causes no greater overlooking than the door opening itself: a person passing an opening gains a fleeting, incidental view." In contrast, she alleges that Mr. Bray's balcony has outward-opening doors and a usable standing platform at roof level that can be occupied for extended periods, directly facing her garden and windows.
Another neighbor, Natalie Crake, echoed these concerns, suggesting the structure should be assessed as an accessible roof terrace rather than a Juliette balcony. She proposed that reinstating the approved design with inward-opening doors and flush guarding would resolve the privacy issue.
Mr. Bray, 78, who purchased the bungalow six years ago, insists the modification was an unintentional error on the architect's drawings, which he did not notice. He stated that he only became aware of the issue when a neighbor complained to the council, prompting a planning officer to advise him to apply for a variation of the original plans.
"It was just a mistake on the drawings. I didn't do the plans, I paid an architect to do them," Mr. Bray said. He also pointed out that the Venton's home, rebuilt two years ago, has first-floor windows that overlook his garden.
He described the balcony as a small, approximately one-square-meter area, barely large enough to open the doors, and suggested the difference from the original plans was negligible. Mr. Bray added that two building inspectors did not notice the discrepancy during their visits. He also mentioned that a planning department official initially found the structure acceptable before reviewing the plans. Mr. Bray indicated he would appeal if the council rejected his application for a variation.
Melanie Bray, 67, added that if they were forced to alter the doors to open inwards, it would necessitate replacing them entirely, costing approximately £1,000. She noted that the balcony does not extend beyond the original roof line and that inward-opening doors would impact the interior bedroom space.