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Fuming man returns from holiday to discover two-storey 'eyesore' built at end of his gardenLes Whitaker, 75, returned from a month-long break in India to find a large extension 'bigger than

his bungalow' built at the end of his garden - but Shropshire Council say the application was publicised in accordance with legal requirementsCommentsNewsBenedict Tetzlaff-Deas News

Reporter, Ed Chatterton, Adam Cailler Senior reporter and Reddit team lead and Mark Andrews06:57, 14 May 2025Updated 06:57, 14 May 2025Fuming(Image: Shropshire Star / SWNS) A raging

pensioner has told of his shock return from a holiday in India – only to be greeted by a monstrous "eyesore" extension looming over his back garden.

Les Whitaker, 75, had just touched down from a month-long getaway when he was gobsmacked by the sight of a whacking great structure 'bigger than his bungalow' sprouting up mere yards from

his rear entrance. The grandad-of-seven was left in the dark about the hefty add-on to the house next door, which now sticks out like a sore thumb above his garden fence with its two-storey

storage building reaching for the skies.

‌ Shropshire Council had given the green light last September for a bit of a makeover on the neighbour's pad, including "remodelling of existing house to provide additional living

accommodation, garaging and storage, reordering of elevations and roof profile".

‌He was not happy(Image: Shropshire Star / SWNS) But Les is adamant that the council kept schtum about the grand designs, swearing he would've kicked up a fuss if he'd had even a sniff of

the construction plans.

The Shrewsbury-based dad-of-three, who shares his digs with his missus Heather, also 75, is now stewing over the colossal 'eyesore' nicking his sunlight and potentially knocking quid off

their property value, reports the Mirror.

Article continues below Retired ad man Les, with a past in running a design and advertising agency, vented: "I came back from a month's holiday in India, and there it was. It's a massive

building, it's bigger than my bungalow."

The local was left in the dark about the development next door, stating: "I had no knowledge about what was happening at all. I contacted the council and they said they don't have to write

to neighbours. Apparently around Covid time, they changed their policy which basically says they don't need to inform residents of these type of applications."

It's a huge eyesore(Image: Shropshire Star / SWNS)‌ A report by Tracy Darke, assistant director of economy and place, claimed "the proposed development will not result in any detrimental

impact from causing an overbearing impact, loss of light or loss of privacy".

Les strongly disagrees with this view, asserting: "It was all signed off as not impacting any neighbours, well I beg to differ. It's an eyesore and also blocks out some of our light. It has

probably impacted the valuation of our house and we've had the discussion about whether to move house or not now."

He lamented the situation further: "It's just a sad state of affairs really. I believe it's a garage and storage facility but the application said something about accommodation as well, so

we're not too sure what he's going to use it for."

‌ He continued, uncertain of the exact size: "I don't know exactly how big it is either but it's a two storey building with a three car garage. It sounds like the only way you can be

notified of these things is to sign up to an alert for developments in your area."

Les concluded with a warning to others: "Other than that the council can just pretty much do as they please, and I want other people to be aware of that. It has had a big impact on us and

we're not best pleased about it".

A Shropshire Council spokesperson revealed: "The application was publicised in accordance with the legal requirements and Shropshire Council's policy by a site notice, and the application

was also available to view in full on the planning portal on the council's website."

Article continues below They added: "We encourage residents to sign up to our planning online service where they can register their interest in receiving updates about applications for

planning permission in their area. The system allows residents to set an area of interest and to track applications of interest."

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