Property developer is refused permission to open his holiday let after backlash from locals over 'horrendous' 18ft window

By CHRIS MATTHEWS, SENIOR NEWS FEATURES REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

A property developer has been refused permission to open his holiday let over a 'horrendous' giant window.

Villagers were left fuming after the huge 18ft window was added to the property in the Welsh countryside without planning permission.

Although the home was initially recommended for approval in January, a wave of objections from locals came over the 'disrespect' of fitting the tall window.

Planners have now rejected backdated permission for Karl Jones's development at Penisarwaun near Caernarfon, North Wales, to be a holiday let.

Villagers said allowing the holiday let would be a 'harmful effect on a small, quiet area of rural Wales.'

They feared a holiday accommodation would cause traffic, litter and noise - and residents would lose their privacy.

Planning officer Keira Sweenie argued that the holiday let was not excessively large and met policy requirements.

She added that completing work before obtaining permission 'was not a valid reason to refuse.'

This 18ft window left locals in North Wales fuming after it was fitted without permission

This 18ft window left locals in North Wales fuming after it was fitted without permission

Pictured: The original home before the 'horrendous' large window was fitted

Pictured: The original home before the 'horrendous' large window was fitted

Pictured: The planning application that was submitted by the housing developer

Pictured: The planning application that was submitted by the housing developer 

The developer was given 'an opportunity' to minimise overlooking and requested to provide documents detailing the operating rules of the holiday let to ease concerns from neighbours.

But planners said 'none were submitted'.

Local councillor Elwyn Jones said the development had proceeded 'without any kind of planning application and affected several nearby properties.'

'The message here is, if you are uncertain, then do it anyway, don't respond, and everything will go through in the end,' he said. 'That is what I see from this.'

'I saw the original building, and this is certainly not at the original height - there is no way to prove that now because the development has been completed.

'Should a usual application have come in with this, due to its location and the building, I'm almost certain it would have been refused.'

Cllr Gruff Williams added: 'When it came up last time, we didn't ask for a pair of curtains, we asked for them to block off windows to avoid overlooking - the developer does not care about our decisions.'

Cllr Louise Hughes noted that the developer 'just went ahead anyway disregarding the planning process'.

The redeveloped house has a modern look with a large glass front

The redeveloped house has a modern look with a large glass front 

The house has an absolutely stunning view out over the countryside of North Wales

The house has an absolutely stunning view out over the countryside of North Wales

Its interior has also been redone with plush turquoise sofas and a wooden finish

Its interior has also been redone with plush turquoise sofas and a wooden finish

One bedroom has an orange velvet bed while the walls are painted navy blue

One bedroom has an orange velvet bed while the walls are painted navy blue 

'He also ignored concerns of local people living next door. I was at the site visit and quite frankly that window is absolutely enormous and out of character,' she said.

'What sort of message does this send out? ''Don't worry because the planning committee will pass it anyway''.

'Yes, OK, I suppose it is within planning policy but it's the integrity of this decision, he's not made any movement to sort out the problems. I am not happy, it is a lack of respect for planning process and the planning committee.'

There is more glass for an indoor balcony in the new version of the house

There is more glass for an indoor balcony in the new version of the house 

The previous property had small windows and was not as modern at the new house

The previous property had small windows and was not as modern at the new house

Cllr Gruff Williams said: 'When it came up last time we asked for them to block off windows to avoid overlooking - the developer does not care about our decisions'

Cllr Gruff Williams said: 'When it came up last time we asked for them to block off windows to avoid overlooking - the developer does not care about our decisions'

Cllr Gareth Jones agreed, adding: 'I visited the site. That large window is horrendous. I don't know how it can be approved. It is massive. It does have a significant impact on amenities. It is obtrusive.'

Cllr Hughes said: 'It might be within the rules but is it morally right?'

'He has shown a lack of respect for every aspect of the planning application.

'It sends a message out there [to] do what you want, stake your claim, build what you like, let's have a drive-in McDonald's while you are at it.'

The committee voted on December 9, with five in favour of refusal and four against.

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