Steve McCabe MP met with residents of Gristhorpe Road in Selly Oak whose lives have become a total misery after being wedged between a row of 5 homes which have houses in the gardens.
This week, Steve met with local residents who have told him of how their lives had been turned upside down ever since rogue landlords started building unauthorised outbuildings on Gristhorpe Road in 2013.
The eyesore extensions have engulfed 5 gardens on one side of Gristhorpe Road and whilst enforcement notices have been issued by the Council and appeals dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate the hideous buildings in the gardens remain standing. Steve has again called on the Council to demolish the buildings in the gardens which have affected the light, privacy and quality of life of residents wedged between the properties.
Residents told Steve that they were angry that the owners of the neighbouring properties were blatantly ignoring planning laws and notices. One resident told Steve that his garden hasn’t seen the sun since the extensions went up and his lawn is permanently wet as the foundations laid for the extensions have affected his drainage system. Another resident expressed concerns about the impact the outbuildings in the neighbouring gardens would have on the value of family homes in the local area.
Steve McCabe MP said:
“I was totally shocked to see exactly what these rogue landlords have been allowed to get away with which has set a precedent for other landlords to jump on the bandwagon with no fear that any meaningful enforcement action will be taken. I don’t think anyone would be happy with being wedged into their homes with no light or privacy.
“Britannia have ignored a number of compliance notices and don’t seem to be taking the enforcement action that has been issued seriously which is why I am applying pressure on the Council to take tougher enforcement action. The outbuildings are total monstrosities and are prime examples of dodgy landlords misusing permitted development rights, an issue which I am continuing to address in Parliament through my 10 Minute Rule Bill on the Protection of Family Homes.”
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