A ROW in Radyr about a house built with windows and a patio overlooking neighbouring homes and gardens could soon lead to enforcement action.

The recently built house on Cae’r Graig overlooks three adjacent properties on Ael-Y-Bryn, prompting the dispute between neighbours about the loss of privacy.

The problem is the house was built differently to its plans approved by Cardiff council in 2013, with an additional balcony, patio and window, like “a castle overlooking a bungalow”.

Its owner applied to the council for permission to keep the changes with some minor adjustments, which the planning committee refused due to the impact on neighbours.

The first planning application in 2012 initially included in the plans a balcony, patio and window with views into neighbouring gardens. The council refused this application, due to the overlooking issue. It was then amended, removing the balcony and window, which the council approved in 2013.

But soon after construction started, neighbours reported that the house was not being built according to the approved plans, but rather still including an overlooking balcony, patio and window. A detached garage was also built, which was not in the approved plans, and an extra bedroom.

After the council told the homeowner the house was different to the approved plans, a new application was submitted for retrospective permission in order to keep the changes. Planters would be put in place to interrupt views into neighbouring properties.

Robert Moy-Lewis, a neighbour, wrote to the planning department to object to the application. He said: “The reason I object to the design is that it incorporates a window positioned in such a way that it allows from an elevated location a clear and uninterrupted view over the private rear garden of a property, of which I am co-owner and occupier.”

He asked the council to order that the window be replaced with a velux window in the roof, or a window above head height, which would still provide natural light but no longer overlook his garden.

Councillor Rod McKerlich, representing Radyr, also wrote to the planning department urging them to refuse the application, because of the balcony, patio and rear window overlooking neighbouring gardens and bedrooms. He said: “Privacy is breached to an alarming extent.”

He added: “The retaining wall is made of wood, and water is oozing through it into the gardens of Ael y Bryn. The wall does not appear to be robust enough to properly retain the land and buildings above.”

Councillors on the planning committee voted to refuse the latest application, which could now lead to enforcement action being taken by the council.

Cllr Lyn Hudson said: “I think it is very overbearing and I think if we approve this it gives the green light for anyone to ignore any of the drawings and plans they’ve already put in. If you look at it from the perspective of the neighbours, it’s a bit like a castle overlooking a bungalow. It’s not going to be alleviated by planting or putting down pots.”