Luxury garden shed sparks neighbour complaints

A view of the shed and decking that was built without planning permission at the end of a residential garden.

A couple will have to put up a fence to protect their neighbours' privacy after building a luxury shed at the end of their garden without planning permission.

Llinos Ndlovu and her husband said they only became aware it required planning permission this summer after being contacted by Monmouthshire Council's planning department.

The shed, with a wall to ceiling glass door, was built on top of the foundations of a former greenhouse in Monmouth in September 2023 with a timber pergola sitting over a large decking area.

Ms Ndlovu said it would never be used for housing or residential purposes and "is for the sole purpose of office space for myself and my husband."

The shed, around 30m from the house in Beech Road, has no amenities other than electricity and an internet connection.

The couple submitted a retrospective planning application for the outbuilding and decking, after six objections from two properties while two neighbours, from one household, supported the proposals.

Neighbours who complained had described the shed as "too high and overbearing."

The council's delegate panel was recommended to approve the application with conditions, including a 2m high willow privacy screen.