A FINAL decision whether to allow the building of a bungalow in the back garden of Exeter Road house has been put on hold until after planners inspect the site.

A FINAL decision whether to allow the building of a bungalow in the back garden of Exeter Road house has been put on hold until after planners inspect the site.

But while plans to build the three-bed detached home, double garage and a new access road at the rear of 236 Exeter Road have the backing of district planning officers, the proposals, considered at the district council’s development management meeting last week, have proved controversial.

The town hall say that any new home would be overdevelopment and overlook nearby bungalows in Thornfield Close.

They also add that because the access road is on the brow of a hill they had concerns over traffic safety.

And neighbours have also echoed their concerns with eight objections lodged including concerns that the building would overshadow several small gardens, making them virtually them unusable.

For others the scale of the project is simply to large for a plot described as ‘deep but narrow’, and add doubts about pollution and the loss of trees.

In an attempt to allay concerns the plans have been altered the roof ridge height lowered by two metres and visibility ‘splays’ added to help vehicles entering or leaving the property.

Development manager Ed Freeman said the proposals ‘would not adversely detract from the character or appearance of the area.’

But neighbours Mr and Mrs Cowling of Thornfield Close said: “The amendments still do not alter the fact that this building’s drive, hard standing and turning area would still occupy most of the garden and consequently the felling of all trees and natural habitat.

“We feel that this garden is totally unsuitable for this building and of no advantage part from finacial.”

District councillor Jill Elson who said: “The site of the new dwelling is directly at the rear of number 236 Exeter Road. It is also very near a property in Thornfield Close.

“I am also concerned over nearness to 236. Its proposed access is on the hill in Exeter road near to Featherbed Lane turning where there exists crossed hatch lines because of traffic danger.”