Couple told to add screen after 'luxury' shed approved with conditions

"(Image credit: Monmouthshire County Council) A Monmouth couple has been told to install a privacy fence after neighbours complained their "luxury shed" was too large and intrusive. Llinos Ndlovu and her husband built the glass-fronted garden room and decking at the end of their home without planning permission in 2023. Monmouthshire County Council has now approved the structure retrospectively, but only after imposing strict conditions on privacy, lighting and wildlife protection."

"Six objections were received from four households. One neighbour wrote: "I was surprised a while ago to notice a structure in the garden of one of the properties which is completely overbearing on the character of the road." Another objector said the raised platform "allows the structure to dominate the other houses in the road" and complained it was "intrusive" and "adversely impacts on the character and appearance of the area.""

"The case was called in by ward councillor Steve Garratt because of "amenity impact reasons" and was reviewed by the council's delegated planning panel. Planning officer Helen Etherington concluded in her report that the garden room's "timber finish and mono-pitched roof are considered appropriate for the urban setting" and that, overall, the design was accep"

A timber-clad, glass-fronted garden room and raised decking were built at the end of a Monmouth property in 2023 without planning permission. The outbuilding sits about 30m from the house, is 7.25m long and 2.74m high, and rests on decking raised to 1.1m on one side. Six objections from four households called the structure overbearing, intrusive and damaging to the area's character and appearance. Supporters pointed to similar nearby buildings and said the room enabled home working. The council approved the structure retrospectively but imposed strict conditions on privacy, lighting and wildlife protection and required a privacy fence.

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