TV property expert Claudia Hearne, a regular commentator on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine show, is facing further planning challenges concerning a small alteration to her home's roof. This latest dispute follows a protracted five-year planning saga over a rear extension on her £1 million west London property. Despite having recently secured retrospective planning permission for the extension, Hearne and her husband Nick, 41, must now address a discrepancy involving a corner of the roof, which has been deemed a less destructive solution than full demolition.
Initially, the couple obtained planning permission for a single-storey rear extension with a flat roof, described by the council as 'modest' and comparable to nearby properties. However, during construction, contractors determined that adhering precisely to the original plans for joining the new roof to the house's pitched roof would pose difficulties with building regulations. Hearne stated that a council planning officer had previously advised that a slight adjustment to the roof corner would be acceptable without requiring a new planning application.
The situation escalated in February 2022 with the lodging of objections, and subsequent applications to resolve the discrepancy were rejected. Hearne recounted asking about the tolerance levels for such adjustments and receiving assurances that a slight modification would be permissible. "So then we built it. And then years later, they want us to reinstate this corner of the roof," she said. "They're still saying now that they want [it] to be replaced. And that would mean taking the roof off, which would cost tens of thousands."
The extended planning battle was exacerbated by complaints from a neighbor. Hearne described facing intimidation, including silent phone calls, and alleged that the neighbor was filming them in their garden and monitoring their use of a home office. The dispute began in 2021 when the couple applied to extend their kitchen in a conservation area. After the extension was completed, further complaints were made regarding rendering, the front door, and even their garden shed, which had been converted into a home office.
Hearne claimed that the neighbor lodged nine objections to their front garden landscaping plans, which were ultimately approved and received awards. She also stated that false accusations were made about running a business from their home without paying business rates, leading to visits from HMRC and the council.
A government planning inspector ultimately intervened, limiting the council's demands and sparing the family from the most extensive work. Hearne described the ordeal as "years of hell" but expressed her continued love for the community, noting the outpouring of support from neighbors.
Other residents have also raised concerns about what they describe as inconsistent planning decisions and enforcement by Hounslow Council, attributing the issues to a small group of persistent complainants. These residents claim that overbearing rules are applied inconsistently and that enforcement actions are sometimes driven by a few individuals.
A spokesperson for Hounslow Council stated that the council has found no evidence of inconsistency in its handling of planning applications or enforcement matters, asserting that decisions and actions are taken in accordance with legislation and procedure. The council also noted that residents can use its complaints process and have the right to refer matters to an ombudsman if dissatisfied, with planning decisions also subject to statutory appeal rights. The council was unable to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality.