Planning row house built in garden could be demolished

A HOMEOWNER who spent £170,000 building a detached house in her back garden faces having to rip it down because she never received planning permission.

- BY ADAM DUTTON

Clair Birch, 58, had originally sought approval for a one-bedroom annexe to replace a garage at her semidetached property.

But neighbours were stunned when a standalone two-storey “eyesore” property resembling an “extended bungalow” was thrown up instead.

The council has since refused retrospective planning permission, saying the “overbearing” building resembles a self-contained house rather than an annexe.

Clair faces having to tear down the property, which she says she built for her disabled daughter, if a resolution is not found and slammed “snotty neighbours” for “making life hell”.