Neighbours left furious after house next door builds ‘concrete prison’ in back garden – ‘Overwhelmingly unpleasant!’
A family has been left outraged after their neighbours constructed an unauthorised concrete extension in their back garden, which was later refused planning permission by the local council.
The controversial structure, described as a “concrete prison” by the affected residents, appeared earlier this autumn on Long Furlong Drive, in Slough, Berkshire, without prior consultation with local authorities.
The neighbouring family was shocked to discover the development, which prompted them to lodge formal complaints when a retrospective planning application was submitted in September.
The unauthorised build has sparked significant concerns about privacy and loss of natural light for the adjacent property.
The concrete structure replaced what was previously a small wooden hut in the adjoining garden, marking a dramatic change to the property’s appearance.
Residents described it as an “overwhelming over-development of the plot” that has significantly impacted their quality of life.
The extension’s height has been a particular point of contention, with the neighbouring family reporting they have been “left in darkness” by the imposing structure.
Adding to their concerns, a treehouse with roof access has created what the family describes as a “worrisome” privacy risk.
The development also included replacing an existing wooden fence between the properties with a concrete wall.
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In their objection letter to the council, the affected family expressed strong concerns about the structure’s appearance and its impact on their property.
“The visual amenity of the structure is unappealing, resembling a prison wall and making our garden feel overwhelmingly unpleasant,” the family wrote in their note to planning officials.
The concrete walls have also caused practical issues, with the objection letter noting that the development’s encroachment onto their property left no space for a planned “wooden padding cover.”
The extension was described by the residents as having an “overwhelmingly unpleasant” impact on their home.
On November 11, Slough Borough Council refused to grant retrospective approval for the controversial extension.
Planning officers highlighted that the structure was incongruous with both the existing property and the wider street scene.
The council noted that no pre-application advice had been sought by the developer before construction began.
Officials also stated there were no obvious amendments that could be made to make the structure more acceptable for planning approval.