A householder in Swindon faces the possibility of  having to remove the large upstairs extension they had built.

A Mrs Saran was given permission in 2019 for single storey front extension and two-storey side and rear extensions and an outbuilding to be built at a home on Upham Road in Old Walcot

Those buildings went up in 2020. But so did a large box dormer building covering the rear of the roof space above the rear extension that had permission.

In October 2023 Mrs Saran put in a retrospective application for retention of the Box dormer extension.

That drew an objection from a neighbour: “The box dormer is unacceptable as it doesn't take into consideration the build characteristics of the area.

"The siting, bulk, scale and design is not permitted. This is a total over-development of the site. It overlooks other homes and gardens causing a loss of privacy.”

Planners at Swindon Borough Council declined to decide the application.

Instead, the authority has issued an enforcement notice against the box dormer.

It says the building is not within the original approval which was solely for the plans as put forward in the 2019 application.

It tells Mrs Saran: As the person responsible for the breach of condition you are required to comply with the stated condition by taking the following steps:

“Remove the box dormer from the rear elevation of the dwelling. Remove all resultant material from the land following compliance and ensure the development is built in accordance with the approved plans.”

Another nearby resident, who did not wish to be named said: “The box dormer has a big impact on the properties nearby, and it’s clearly not within the original plans.

“It’s frustrating because this was brought to the attention of the local planning authority when it was built and four years later.”

Mrs Saran said: “We’re not planning to take the box dormer down. We’ve written to the council but we haven’t heard anything back.”

Mrs Saran said she believed she was allowed to have built the box dormer under ‘permitted development’ rules and added: “If you look around Swindon there are box dormers all over the place, because it’s too expensive to move.

“This meets all the building regulations and is safe.”

A spokesman for Swindon Borough Council’s position said: “The box dormer is the subject of an ongoing planning enforcement investigation. A retrospective planning application has been submitted.

“We have been in discussions with the homeowner’s planning agent and are currently awaiting updated information.”