A Gosport couple have been told they can keep their orangery built without the correct planning permission – but planners have said they don’t like being part of wars between neighbours.

The applicants, Mr and Mrs Gibbs of Bridgemary Road, had been given consent by planners to build an extension at the back of their home but it was built too big so they sought retrospective permission.

Despite not opposing the original height of 2.7 metres, neighbours Rita and Michael Henderson said the taller-than-planned extension now affected the level of light in their garden which, for the last 50 years, they had spent a lot of time in.

They told Gosport’s regulatory board on Wednesday (February 14) that they had plans for planting and patio areas in their garden but the loss of light had affected those and their lifestyle. Mr Henderson also said it had ‘impacted their mental and physical health’.

The extension was actually built at four metres deep, 3.2 metres wide and 3.4 metres tall. The height is 0.7m taller than what was granted.

Councillor Bob Maynard said: “Rita and Micahel (Henderson) are decent people who accept legitimate authority and accept at face value the validity of information given to them. They expect that what they perceive as contractual agreements will be adhered to by all parties involved.”

During the meeting, councillors said that they did not like retrospective planning because it put ‘neighbours against neighbours’ and whichever way they voted, one party was going to be upset.

Cllr Richard Earle (Lib Dem, Elson) said: ”We don’t like retrospective planning. Both neighbours are victims here. I hope you take it on the chin. We’re going to be damned either way.”

Councillor Earle hoped that once a decision had been reached they could shake hands and put everything behind them and go and have a drink together. 

Board chair Councillor Stephen Hammond said: “We don’t take it lightly.”

The retrospective planning was granted.