An 'illegal' bungalow overlooking the English Channel is in line to be torn down after it was built without prior planning permission.

The singe-storey property has been erected in a rear garden in Coast Drive, Greatstone, on Romney Marsh, and fronts on to the Greatstone Dunes, a Site of Specific Scientific Interest.

It comprises of a bedroom, kitchen/lounge/dining area and a bathroom and has its own terrace.

The existing garden was split in two by a 'concrete breeze block wall' to accommodate the new self contained house, which sits two metres higher than 'ground floor level'.

But a damning report, due to be discussed by members of Folkestone and Hythe District Council's planning committee on Tuesday, recommends that an Enforcement Notice is served requiring the 'demolition of the dwelling and the reinstate of the site to the previous ground level'.

The report reveals the development has an 'adverse impact' on neighbouring residents due to 'loss of privacy, overbearing impacts and increased activity on the overall site', adding it is raised to such an extent that 'persons standing on the terrace are level with the first floor bedroom windows' of the homes next door.

Documents also declare the design and visual appearance of the bungalow 'unacceptable' due to its 'unbalanced' and 'intrusive' features, including the roof design.

The report states: "This complicated roof form gives a dominant, complicated and unbalanced appearance to the development.

"The basic design premise is not appropriate for the site as it fails to reflect the appearance of existing dwellings in the locality and it is not in keeping with the area.

"Although not visible from Coast Drive it is visible from Greatstone Dunes which are publically accessible.

"Given its overall size and design it appears as prominent and intrusive feature in the landscape as there are no other such buildings at the ends of gardens."

Access to the property, absence of cycle storage space, no provision for off street parking and lack of 'discreet' storage for bins also stack up against it.

In addition, the report highlights the harm it could cause to the 'ecological integrity' of the area.

It states: "The proximity of the new development to Greatstone Dunes and the additional activity on them which is likely to result from the direct access from the dwelling... has potential to adversely affect the habitat and wildlife that the site is designated for due to increased light pollution and increased physical activity.

"Therefore the development is considered to be unacceptable as it has not demonstrated that either impacts have not occurred or that they can be satisfactorily mitigated."

The report states the owner of the house claims it was built to replace an existing 'chalet' in his garden that had fallen into disrepair, although photos provided by the council show the new build 'has a 63m² increased' footprint.

Council papers also reveal that while the owner of the new house says it will be for his personal use, he has 'not demonstrated any functional link between the new dwellinghouse and the main dwellinghouse'.

It is also stated that an application has been submitted to the council in regards to the property for ‘certificate of lawful development (existing) for use of a building to the rear garden as annex accommodation’.

Despite this, the council literature concludes: "It is considered that the development that has been carried out is unacceptable in terms of the visual amenity of the area, the amenity of neighbouring residents, highway safety and impacts on a designated nature conservation site.

"For these reasons it is recommended that an enforcement notice be served.

"In order to allow reasonable time for any occupants to find alternative accommodation a compliance period of one year is recommended."

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