Fierce opposition has been promised to “overbearing” plans to build an extension in a garden in Sandwich’s conservation area.

More than 13 people attended a site meeting last week and many appeared at the town council on Monday to voice their opinion on proposals for a four bedroom property extension at 4 The Butts.

Christine Smith, 59, of The Butts, said: “The development is completely oversized and over-bearing on a piece of ground which is a side garden.”

She said the two-storey extension would create a “boxed-in” feeling out of keeping with the area’s character.

“Our upstairs and downstairs living spaces will be completely overlooked by the proposed development’s upstairs windows resulting in an unacceptable loss of privacy.”

According to Ms Smith, it will affect the view from the other side of the Delf stream and would also reduce neighbours’ access because no further parking spaces would be created.

Ms Smith also claimed the planning report was “threatening and intimidating” by giving lists of proposals it could complete without needing planning permission. This would include an extension, less than four metres high, which looks like a garage.

“It basically says if you don’t give us planning permission goodness knows what’s going to happen.” - Mrs Smith.

The report states the proposal for the two-storey development is more attractive than the alternative, which is anything not permanently fixed to the ground. This can be sited without planning consent, like vehicles, caravans, boats and play equipment.

Ms Smith said: “The report is threatening and intimidating to the planning department.
“It basically says if you don’t give us planning permission goodness knows what’s going to happen.”

Sandwich Town Council agreed with Ms Smith and her supporters and recommended the application for refusal.

This is the third time the developer has submitted an application for this land which have been refused.