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LES 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 REQUIREMENTS BENEDICT TETZLAFF-DEAS News Reporter, ED CHATTERTON, ADAM CAILLER Senior reporter and Reddit team lead and MARK ANDREWS

06:57, 14 May 2025Updated 06:57, 14 May 2025 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". 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." 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." _FOR THE

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