A Glasgow woman has been ordered to tear down her garden decking for a second time after an appeal to keep it in place was rejected by the council. Theresa McInally first built the raised decking at her home on Madison Avenue, Catchart, during a garden makeover in 2020.
But a neighbouring couple objected to the platform, claiming it overlooked a garden next door and that it was being used for "social gatherings". Ms McInally was refused permission for the structure by the local authority, before her appeal to keep it also failed, Glasgow Live reports.
The homeowner then submitted an alternative plan for a decking area around half the size and new fencing, however this was also denied. Highlighting changes made to the timber structure, Ms McInally’s agent said the area of the deck would be reduced by 50 per cent and stairs would be moved so they faced eastwards, instead of towards a neighbouring garden.
The agent said: “Given the elderly nature of the applicants, the level of the deck has remained constant as they require to be able to move easily from the family room and the kitchen to the deck with no change in level.”
However, an objection from neighbours Mr and Mrs Speirs to the latest plan said the “1.23 metre” height of the decking is “unacceptable because of the overlooking of neighbouring gardens.” They also pointed out that the “deck is used to host social gatherings.”
And this week, her second appeal was once again rejected by Glasgow City Council - as councillors agreed that reducing the size of the decking hadn't "reduced the issue" of privacy for the neighbours.
Following an appeal at Planning Local Review Committee, councillors once again rejected the plan - which means Ms McInally may be ordered to remove the structure completely. She had originally constructed the decking without council permission, as she wasn't aware it was required.
Committee chair councillor Ken Andrew, SNP, said: “I don’t think this revised application has really materially changed the original issues with the decking as is currently in situation. I don’t think it has reduced the issue of overlooking as far as I can see.”
He added: “I have to say based on what we have in front of us - my view is there are good grounds for refusal of this application.”
Councillor Christy Mearns, Scottish Greens, endorsed the decision. The appeal was ultimately rejected as the proposal ws not considered to be in accordance with the Development Plan and was contrary to policies in the plan.
Furthermore, the committee ruled that “the proposed screening would form an incongruous feature, to the detriment of the visual amenity of the property itself and also neighbouring properties.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
