Cheltenham residents in Charlton Park are worried they may soon lose the cherished ability to enjoy barbecues and sunshine in their gardens. Plans to extend the roof of a bungalow on Sandy Lane Road have been approved despite fears the structure will cast a shadow over neighboring properties.
Paul O’Neill has received approval from Cheltenham Borough Council to raise the roof at his bungalow, Farleigh, in Sandy Lane Road. The planned changes include a first-floor extension with new windows, doors, a metal-clad canopy, and composite cladding. Although council officers confirmed that the extension maintains the existing boundaries between properties, the building’s central gable ridge will increase in height by 3.2 meters, with the eaves raised by 0.8 meters. The side wing’s roof height will also rise by 1.1 meters.
Officers noted the extension passes light impact assessments, except for one window in a non-habitable room. To prevent overlooking neighbors, no rear-facing windows are part of the design; instead, rooflights have been added to allow natural light inside.
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Mr. O’Neill explained that the extension aims to address ongoing condensation and damp issues in the bungalow, which was unoccupied for a long time before he and his wife purchased it. “We want to modernize and improve living conditions,” he said. He emphasized that the increase in size is modest and not a full two-story extension, adding, “We were mindful of our neighbours' privacy.”
However, Charlton Park ward councillor Steve Harvey voiced significant concerns about the impact on nearby residents. “A big, tall building is going up to the south of their gardens and will cast shadow,” he said. “This isn’t about windows overlooking their homes; it’s the sheer bulk of the extension blocking sunlight. People won’t be able to sit in their gardens and enjoy some sunshine, which is a loss of amenity.”
Councillor Harvey highlighted that the shadow will affect properties at 19, 20, and 21 Withyholt Park, describing the extension as “overbearing.”
Despite these objections, during the planning committee meeting on May 22, no councillors opposed the scheme, and the extension was unanimously approved.