June Huggins spent eight peaceful years looking out from her garden at the woodland view.

But the 48-year-old says her life has now been made a misery after the picturesque vista was completely blocked by a house overlooking her back yard.

The mother-of-one has branded the development a “monstrosity” which has left her with little privacy in her own home.

“It’s an absolute eyesore which has destroyed our view,” she said.

“Our house and garden was extremely peaceful when we moved but it is now depressing when I get up in the morning.

“My partner and I have moved bedrooms as the back one is now incredibly overlooked – this monstrosity is harming our quality of life.”

The new house in The Street, Staple, is one of four in a development approved by Dover district councillors in 2015.

In the original planning statement it was stated there “would be no first-floor habitable windows overlooking off-site properties” and that the new homes “have been designed and located in order to preserve the privacy and amenity of future occupants and those of adjacent properties”.

However, Miss Huggins, a manager at Minster McDonald’s, sent appeals to the enforcement officer after realising her privacy was likely to be breached.

After a visit to the development, which is still under construction, the officer told her nothing more could be done.

She added: “When building work started earlier in the year we put up a 6ft fence to keep our privacy. But that has hardly helped as there is a huge window which peers directly into our back garden, lounge and old bedroom – it’s very intrusive.

“I used to go out to the garden in my dressing gown or enjoy sitting out there with a cup of tea.

“I’m afraid to do that now for fear of being watched.”

Miss Huggins says the value of her council house in Bates Close will have plummeted.

“If it was on the market, who would want to buy it when they see the back garden?” she said.

“We’ve spent thousands revamping the garden recently and then spent money on the new fence and getting nets in the windows. I just don’t think those who approved it realised how high it was going to be. There must be a privacy law which is being breached?

“But, as much as I’d like to not have it built, I can’t do much more now. Our hope is that the window which directly overlooks our back garden will be frosted.”

A Dover council spokesman said: "This matter has been raised with the council recently, and we would note that there is a 1.8m fence still to be constructed between the two properties.

"This application was approved by officers under delegated authority. All material considerations were taken fully into account at the time the application was determined."