Man vows to unleash ‘war’ against neighbour after £40K illegal extension is erected
A bitter neighbourhood dispute has erupted in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, over a £40,000 roof extension built without planning permission.
Homeowner Rajesh Ankuru faces enforcement action from Southend Council after constructing a hip to gable roof extension and rear dormer despite having his planning application rejected.
The unauthorised development has sparked threats of retaliation from neighbour Dave Crix, who has vowed to wage “war” by planting trees to block views if Ankuru’s appeal is successful.
Ankuru, an architect and father of twins, claims the situation arose from confusion, believing the extension was included in an approved ground floor plan.
The dispute has now escalated to the Government planning inspectorate.
Southend Council rejected the extension plans at the start of last year, but construction work began months later regardless.
The council subsequently ordered Ankuru to remove the extension and issued enforcement action when complaints emerged in April about renewed construction activity.
“I am confused by the whole process. I have no idea why there is so much upset and people are concerned,” Ankuru told reporters.
He revealed he has spent £40,000 on the project so far, including building work and legal fees.
“I need a bigger house. I have a young family. I thought it had all been approved,” he added.
MORE NEIGHBOUR ROWS:
- Tradesman fined after telling neighbour he would ‘rub his nose in dog pee’ as row over pet erupts
- Homeowner erects 6ft fence around manor house to obstruct neighbour’s ‘ugly home’
- Pensioner left bankrupt from £1m legal bill over row with neighbour over bins
Ankuru maintains he will win his appeal against the enforcement action.
Crix, a music teacher, has taken a firm stance against the extension that overlooks his garden.
“He has started a war and I will finish it,” Crix declared. “If he wins his appeal, he won’t be seeing any sunlight. The sun is in our favour.”
He threatened to spend over £1,000 on trees to block the view if the appeal succeeds.
“A big selling point is the privacy we have. If he gets permission, then it sets a precedent. It’s unfair,” said Crix.
Having lived in his property for nine years, Crix is now considering legal action over potential reduction in his house value.
“You cannot just go around doing what you want when it comes to planning,” he added.
Local residents have expressed strong opposition to the unauthorised extension.
“I bloody hate it,” said 83-year-old neighbour Sally Miller. “It blocks the sun already in my conservatory. It’s an eyesore.”
Other residents eagerly await the extension’s removal, with one stating: “Who does he think he is? I cannot wait until the day it gets pulled down.”
Blenheim ward councillor Laurie Burton has received numerous complaints about the development.
“If residents are putting up buildings without planning permission, then it makes a mockery of the whole system,” said Burton.
He added: “I am pleased the council is taking firm action against the minority who aren’t following the rules.”