A mother’s seaside view was completely ruined after developers built an ‘illegal’ 8ft-high concrete wall for a luxury flat development next door. 

At 42, Liz Bates used to relish the unbroken view of Poole Bay from her first-floor apartment’s balcony in the upscale Southbourne district of Bournemouth, Dorset.

That was until works on a development of 27 luxury flats, consisting of four apartment blocks with associated parking, began earlier this year.

Initially, it seemed that although many of her neighbors’ sea views were obstructed by new apartment blocks, Mrs. Bates still enjoyed a view of the coastal scenery.

But that has been lost after the 20ft by 8ft concrete wall was added to the end of a new roof terrace being built between her home and the sea.

She asserts that a privacy wall, which prevents the view into a neighboring terrace garden, has been built without proper planning approval.

Mrs Bates accused developers Vivir Estates of behaving with ‘pure arrogance’ and said they believe they can get the wall approved now it is there.

The mother of two is contemplating selling her decade-long home due to concerns about her ongoing privacy; the new flats may allow occupants a direct view into her residence.

Before: Mrs Bates’ view from her first storey flat before the wall was erected

After: Mrs Bates’ view from her first storey flat after construction of the wall

As a property inspector, Mrs. Bates has heard from real estate agents that selling her home could prove difficult because the development has significantly reduced its value.

Mrs Bates said: ‘Our property is only six metres away from the development.

‘About two months ago, brackets went up in front of our house. I asked the builders what they were for, and they said it was for a terrace wall.

‘I told them there wasn’t any planning permission for that. 

‘The builder admitted they were just doing what they’d been told, but I reported it to the council.

‘They intervened and told the developer to stop work since no planning application existed, but he carried on and built the whole wall.

‘Although there’s permission for a terrace, the developers didn’t include any detailed plans on where it would be located, so we assumed it would be at the front of the flats, not positioned on top of the first-floor wall.’

‘It is pure arrogance from the developers as I think they believe they can get it approved on appeal.’

Liz Bates, 42, has had her seaview blocked by shameless developers who have built an allegedly illegal 8ft-high wall as part of a neighbouring block of luxury flats

The huge 8ft-high wall can be seen as part of the development (left), which is directly in front of Liz Bates’ balcony (right)

‘My family has lived here for 100 years. I grew up here. I’m quite angry about this,’ Mrs Bates continued. 

‘That’s why I’m so emotionally attached to what’s happening. We feel like we’re being forced out of our home.

‘To lose the view is bad enough, but our privacy has also been completely and utterly taken away.

‘We’ve had builders looking in through our windows through the summer as early as 7.15am when I’m having breakfast with my young children.

‘We are being boxed in – it is so intrusive and an invasion of privacy.

‘We feel like we have been living in a goldfish bowl since this development started and have had to close doors and windows, regardless of how hot our house is, due to builders smoking on site and the smoke coming directly into our home,

‘When people are having BBQs or smoking on the terrace we will get that blown into our home.

‘We would like to move but the estate agents have told us the house has lost so much value because of this development we wouldn’t be able to, so we are trapped here.

The 20ft by 8ft concrete wall which has been added to the end of a new roof terrace being built opposite Mrs Bates’s house 

‘We are no longer going to be able to enjoy our outside space and we have lost a lot of natural light.

‘Every time we look out of our glass front windows we see that huge brick wall.

‘Everyone says “these NIMBYs don’t want to lose their sea views” but when you see the reality of how close that wall is you realise how overbearing it is.

‘Parts of the development will be four storeys high so it is going to be an absolute monstrosity. We are sick to death of it.’

She added: ‘We feel we are suffering enough from this development, without this added, totally non-essential addition to block D.

‘I would happily invite any Planning Officer to our property, should they wish to see the overbearing nature and get a feel for how much this terrace will negatively impact on our family’s life.’

Fellow resident David Burden said: ‘It is unnecessary and surplus to original design. Serves only to further invade privacy and block light for other residents.

‘Also sets a worrying precedent that endless amendments to the original plan can be shoehorned in at any point. Strongly object to this.’

The development in construction in front of Mrs Bates’s home. When completed it will feature 27 luxury flats

Fiona Proctor said: ‘I object to this election, as this was not passed in original plans and blocks any view for those already living there.

‘There is also the case of blatant loss of any privacy.’

Vivir Estates have submitted a ‘non-material amendment’ to their original planning application.

This is a type of minor change to a planning permission that should not significantly alter the design or impact of a scheme.

Mrs Bates said she does not believe the wall fits that definition because of the effect it will have on her family’s home.

The two and four-storey blocks of luxury flats are being built on a former council car park in front of 24 existing properties.

BCP Council put the car park up for sale in 2017 when it was underused but changed their minds and denied two planning applications.

They were overruled after Vivir Estates launched an appeal and a planning inspector sided with them despite 1,500 locals objecting to the plans.

It has previously been estimated by estate agents that the development could reduce house prices of the affected properties by up to £50,000.

Vivir Estates has been contacted for a comment over the allegedly illegal privacy wall.

Speaking after the application was approved in 2023, they said the development would enhance the area and help raise property prices.

Eddie Fitzsimmons, of Vivir Estates, said: ‘No homeowner in the UK has the right to a view, that is civil law.

‘This is a plot of land in front of existing properties and, yes, it is unfortunate that people are going to lose their views.

‘But I think this development is going to enhance the area and property prices will go up as a result.’