A garden planter outside a bungalow in a picturesque village sparked objections from a neighbour who complained its owner violated their privacy by ‘spending hours tending their plants’
Retired widow Jane Higgins put the 7-metre long planter in the front garden of her home on Aberlady’s The Pleasance, and filled it with plants and garden ornaments brightening her home.
But she had to apply for retrospective planning permission for it, along with two CCTV cameras, after planners received a complaint – and while East Lothian Council planners were content it breached no regulations and granted consent, a report revealed one neighbour had lodged a string of objections to it.
In the report officers said the unnamed neighbour had complained the planter was a “hideous eyesore”, attracted cats and its owner spent too much time looking after it.
They said the complaint included claims “it overshadows the objector’s privacy as the neighbour spends hours attending to their plants”.
It added: “The planter is a haven for cats who use it as a litter tray. Cats now fight at night causing excessive noise.”
They also claimed it weighed ‘5 tons’ and was not properly secure adding in adverse weather it could ’cause damage to neighbouring properties’.
They also objected to the CCTV cameras added to the front of the bungalow claiming they made neighbouring residents nervous.
Jane’s son Craig said the whole street had been stunned when his mum was told she needed planning permission for the planter.
He said: “Everyone in the community commented on how lovely the planter was and supports my mum’s garden. We were taken aback when someone objected.
“Some of the complaint was just ludicrous and we are delighted planners have given the planter their approval.”
Planners said the planter, which is under 1 metres high , was lower than the boundary fence in the front garden and was ‘not inappropriate in a garden setting’ and they said the CCTV cameras ‘relatively discreet’ and did not harm the character of the area.
Planning consent was granted for the planter and cameras with no conditions added.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
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