'We're living in a prison': Desperate Wakefield father angry about lack of privacy from building of neighbouring home

Zulqurnain Arif, who lives on Bradford Road in Wakefield, says the height of a house built right next to his back garden allows the builders working on the site to see right through his dining room window.

The first floor of his home is almost level with the new property's ground floor.

Mr Arif's also angry about the way a see-through, rather than wooden fence has been put up around the home, which he says will allow the new occupants to look directly into his property.

The developers, Persimmon Homes, said that the home itself met regulations, but the company admitted to having to resubmit plans for the fence and steps to get retrospective planning permission from Wakefield Council.

Mr Arif, 38, said: "We have no privacy left at all.

"All the time in lockdown we have spent at home we would like to enjoy the back garden but due to the construction work and privacy issues it's not been possible.

"We are living in a prison at the moment.

"We knew that houses were going to be built around our home, but the height of this one and everything that's happened since was a shock to us.

"It's every day we have to put up with this and keep the curtains closed.

"What’s happened now is way beyond our tolerance and we just can’t cope with it anymore.

"It’s very frustrating. It doesn’t make sense."

Wakefield Council said it was investigating the matter and would update Mr Arif as soon as their enquiries were complete.

Mr Arif claimed he'd contacted Persimmon Homes about the issue but had not had a concrete response.

He's also been informed that the house has already been sold and he's concerned about the relationship he'll have with his new neighbours.

"I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m fighting with them," he said.

"I'm really keen to have a good relationship with my neighbours, but this isn't right and it needs sorting. I need to know when a decision will be made on the resubmitted plans."

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes said: "Site levels have been checked on numerous occasions and we have confirmed that they are in accordance with approved external works drawings.

“Wakefield Council did request that Persimmon Homes resubmit the plans in light of the addition of steps and railings, which are designed to allow physical and safe access from the upper part of the new gardens to the lower. This request has been complied with and the plans resubmitted.

“Persimmon Homes are not aware of any direct contact being made by Mr Arif, but we have worked proactively with Wakefield Council to resolve matters."

Local Democracy Reporting Service