FURIOUS locals have likened one of their neighbour’s property renovations to a Love Island villa following the gaff’s transformation.
Homeowners on Hungerford Road in Islington claim that the resident was allowed to change up the Victorian home “with impunity”.
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Locals in the North London borough seethed that “shockingly bright” give the home a “Las Vegas” aesthetic and have badgered the local council to take immediate action.
Islington Council has obliged and has launched a probe into the incident.
One resident, who with her husband has lived on Hungerford Road for nearly 20 years, said: “We don’t want to come across as Nimbys.
“I think we are all quite willing to accept that if your neighbour wants to dress up their house like Love Island, you should let them.
“But the thing that has raised everyone’s ire is that this row of houses is identical and this is a conservation area. They are really, really strict.”
The unnamed woman went on to allege that the couple had unsuccessfully applied to replace a window in their hallway landing.
“Even the simplest thing we have not been able to do,” the woman continued. “It’s not my business how people’s houses look.
“But what has annoyed and perplexed us is that [they] seem to be contravening the planning policy and the council are defending it.”
Other locals have chimed in, claiming that the homeowner may be receiving “favourable” treatment.
One resident wrote: “[Residents are] disappointed and dismayed with the general renovation of [house number], and are minded to draw the conclusion that the Developer has received favourable treatment compared to other homeowners in houses which are identical in design.
“This house is in a conservation area and is totally out of keeping with the appearance of the other properties on Hungerford Road, due to the developer riding roughshod.
“As neighbours, we have not been afforded the opportunity to develop with impunity.”
Resident Andrew Pegram scolded the property’s new look, adding that it sticks out like a sore thumb.
He said: “[The lights] are shockingly bright. A lot of us have a light, but nothing like that.
“There is a great deal of lighting on the back of the house as well.”
What are my rights?
Ali Uddin, who works at planning consultant Planning Pros, states that you are free to make more minor changes to your home, such as replacing or adding windows and doors, without having to apply to the council.
But, Ali said, this isn’t the case if the changes will impact those living around you.
“Where it has an impact on your neighbours, and this is potentially true for windows on the first floor, then it’s subject to conditions,” he said.
This is because a new window might overlook a bedroom in a neighbouring house or cause a noise issue.
“But you can get round this by making really minor changes, like making a window non-opening, for example,” Ali said.
Again, it is worth getting expert advice if you are unsure.
“I have been to Reno and Las Vegas and it is something like that.
“This is a row of houses that were all made to a pattern. [This house] looks nothing like the other houses in the street. It has nothing of the character of the rest of the street.
“We have lived in this house since 1980, so we have a fairly good idea of what is loud and what is not.”
An Islington Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring that planning regulations are applied fairly and consistently across the borough.
“We are aware of issues being raised by residents about a property on Hungerford Road, which is the subject of a live Enforcement Investigation to determine whether any work has been done without permission or against approved plans.
“The planning department is also assessing a live planning application relating to part of the works.
“As such, we are not in a position [to] comment at this time, so as not to prejudice any part of the ongoing investigation.”
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