Retired couple went on a six-month holiday...and came home to 'find a newbuild estate with 129 houses being built next door'
A couple have said they are having 'sleepless nights' after they returned home from a holiday to find a new estate had been built next door.
Martine Le Barth, 75, and her husband say they have had their quality of life compromised by homes being built just beyond their garden fence.
The couple say that sunlight has now been blocked from their home and people can now see into their bedrooms.
They moved to South Molton's Parklands Estate in Devon in 1992.
Martine claims they were given assurances that the land behind their home would remain undeveloped.
Upon returning from a six-month holiday, they were then 'flabbergasted' to discover two-storey houses had been built next to their bungalow.
They say the ongoing construction has robbed them of 'their privacy' and given them rude awakenings with loud banghing at 7am.
The developer said there had been no amendments to the application since its approval in 2021 and the local planning authority conducted the required consultation process with residents at the time.
Martine said: 'My mental health has been really affected and my sleeping pattern too.
'It is getting me awake at night. Over three nights I must have managed to sleep 6 or 7 hours at the most - it is bad.
'Our house went from being the most desirable to the least desirable with those big buildings so close to us.'
The new houses are part of Tilia Homes' Cashmere Park development, which was approved by North Devon Council in 2021.
The scheme includes 129 two to four-bedroom homes, more than 20 per cent of which will be affordable housing.
The development will also feature two acres of public open space, a children's play area and biodiversity enhancements.
But Martine claims they were unaware of any formal consultation on the current scheme.
She stated: 'We were flabbergasted when we came back after Christmas and saw that they built two-story houses next us very very close.
'The problem is we didn't know what was going on because they sent us the wrong plan originally which was for another development and then there was a consultation which I assumed was when we were gone for six months when our granddaughter was born.
'But then I've realised it was in the summer 2021 when we were here and it says in the minutes of the consultation that no neighbours were there - no wonder because no one was told about it.'
The local planning authority said that residents had been notified about the plans.
At first the family's problems began with the banging noises from the builders who would start at 7am and wake them up - taking a toll on the family's mental health.
But despite the loud banging issue being resolved, light into the family's bedroom, study and garden has been blocked by the new development, said Martine.
She says she is now unable to dry her clothes outside as the properties block the sun from her garden.
She said: 'I have been really upset about it. They blocked the sunshine as well because they are on the western side of us so I can't put my washing to dry on the line anymore.
'There is no light coming to the family's study.
'My grandchildren came for three weeks and when it is sunny we eat in the garden. Those people will see us directly.'
She claims that despite complaining to the planning department their requests 'have been ignored'.
Martine said: 'We've asked for some frosted windows because we have lost all privacy - they have got a view of our bedroom and the study.
'They actually look down into our rooms, our living quarters. Our request for frosted windows as been ignored.'
Moving out would be a 'tall order', added Martine, who says they will likely keep living in the house.
She said: 'I think we will stay there and live next to those houses but our own house will have lost a lot of value and when we die our children won't get the value the house could have had in the first place.
'Our house went from being the most desirable to the least desirable with those big buildings so close to us.'
A spokesperson for Tilia Homes said: 'As a considerate developer, Tilia Homes is committed to minimising disruption to local residents while delivering much-needed homes in South Molton. We understand that construction activity can be challenging for neighbours, and we are actively working to ensure any impact is kept to a minimum.
'Our Cashmere Park development, approved by North Devon Council in 2021, will deliver 129 two to four-bedroom homes, with over 20 per cent allocated as affordable housing.
'The scheme includes two acres of public open space, a children's play area, and biodiversity enhancements, including the retention of mature trees. We have also pledged more than £1.4 million in community contributions for education, public transport, and local infrastructure improvements.
'We would like to reassure residents that all construction is being carried out in accordance with the approved planning layout, which has not changed since permission was granted.
'This layout reflects the design and positioning agreed by the local authority following the statutory planning process.
'Our permitted working hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
'These hours are clearly communicated to all contractors, and our site manager oversees daily compliance. If any residents experience activity outside of these times, we encourage them to report it directly so we can investigate promptly.
'We believe that Cashmere Park will make a positive, lasting contribution to South Molton, creating not just homes, but a thriving community.
'We sincerely appreciate residents' patience during construction, and we will be contacting Mr and Mrs Le Barth to discuss their concerns directly with them.'
A spokesperson for North Devon Council said: 'This matter is currently being dealt with through our feedback and complaints procedure.
'However, the impact of new development on existing and future residents is a matter that is duly considered by planning officers as part of the planning process.'
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