Neighbours in one of Birmingham’s most exclusive suburbs are at war over a “garden grabbing” move to build a six bedroom house in the area.
The bid to develop the side garden of one of the £1 million-plus properties in Moor Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield, sparked angry letters to council planners.
Residents whose luxury homes back on to Moor Hall golf club said a proposal to build on land at 12 Moor Hall Drive would destroy their privacy and encourage further house building proposals in the huge gardens.
But Birmingham City Council’s planning committee gave Dr Ken Griffiths the go-ahead after deciding the new house did not break development guidelines.
Dr Griffiths said he would not profit financially from the scheme because he gave the land to his children so that they could have a house of their own.
He added: “I have been approached by developers who wanted to build on the land and I have refused vast amounts of money.
“A lot of the people objecting to this have built their own very large extensions in the past.
“What I am proposing will be in-keeping with the area, it will be a beautiful-looking house.”
John Gaffney, who lives at 16 Moor Hall Drive, described the proposal as “garden grabbing of the worst kind”.
Speaking on behalf of the Moor Hall Residents Association, Mr Gaffney said: “This is a settled community in a mature suburb and the vast majority of people do not want further development.
“We believe the local environment has already suffered considerable damage. A substantial number of trees next to the golf course in a conservation area were felled prior to consultation into this planning application.”
Local councillor Maureen Cornish (Con Sutton Four Oaks) said: “The house being proposed will look extremely cramped and I don’t think it is going to add to the character of the area.”
However, fellow Tory councillor Bob Beauchamp (Con Erdington) backed the scheme which he said would not affect people living nearby.
