The homes were approved by the council in March – but caught locals by surprise (Image: Kathleen Carnell)
are shocked after a cluster of new homes appeared on their doorstep with direct views through their windows.
The development is located in Southminster, Essex, and Maldon District Council, gave the go-ahead for eight of the homes to be built in March.
But – saying that the view from the housing is directly into their properties.
Mark Heisser, who lives on Kings Road, said the construction of “looking into the back of my house and garden” was having a “profound effect on the mental and physical health” on his neighbours.
While the council says the plans were advertised on a fixed notice attached to a lightpost on the stretch, Mr Heisser says it was erected “inconspicuously” on a “narrow pathway” near the development, where it was largely “obscured by tree foliage”.
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The new homes look directly into existing properties (Image: Mark Heisser)
And alongside the personal strain of losing privacy, Mr Heisser told the Express that he had been advised the new properties could render his home “unsellable”.
He said: “A local and respected estate agent of 36 years advised us that he had never seen anything like this. He believes our properties are now unsellable or would have to be reduced by £100k or more.”
Sarah Martin, 38, also said the new builds look directly into her kitchen and six-year-old daughter’s bedroom.
She told the Maldon and Burnham Standard that adjusting to the development had been “really frustrating and really stressful”.
“The properties in place now are practically three storeys with two floors and windows in the roof,” she said.
She added: “I’m thinking of having some privacy film installed on the back of my house and for my little girl so she can have some privacy in her room.”
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Locals say the planning notice was ‘obscured’ under foliage (Image: Mark Heisser)
A spokesperson for Maldon District Council said: “Planning permission was granted for eight dwellings on a green field site in Kings Road, Southminster, on March 27, 2024, which was determined in accordance with the Maldon District Local Development Plan and other material considerations.
“Maldon District Council is guided by planning law in terms of how it promotes planning applications and in compliance with that, the council published the application in the Planning Weekly List as well as placing a Site Notice fixed to a lamppost on Kings Road inviting comments over a 21-day period, during which one was received.”