A 75-year-old homeowner has claimed a large extension was built "without warning" next to his property while on holiday.
Les Whitaker returned from a month-long trip to India to discover a two-storey building had been erected on the other side of the end of his garden in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
The grandfather of seven described the structure as an "eyesore" that towers above the back fence of his property.
Whitaker said he had no prior knowledge of the development, which was granted planning permission by Shropshire Council last September.
An old man returning home from holiday
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He is now concerned that the building will cause the value of his property to plummet.
The retired advertising boss told reporters: "I came back from a month's holiday in India, and there it was. It's a massive building, it's bigger than my bungalow."
"I contacted the council and they said they don't have to write to neighbours.
"Apparently, around Covid time, they changed their policy, which basically says they don't need to inform residents of these types of applications."
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The extension was approved for "remodelling" to "provide additional living accommodation, garaging and storage".
A report submitted to the council claimed the development would not have "any detrimental impact" on loss of light or privacy.
Whitaker stated: "It was all signed off as not impacting any neighbours. Well, I beg to differ. It's an eyesore and also blocks out some of our light. It has probably impacted the valuation of our house."
The situation has left Whitaker and his wife Heather considering whether to move house.
The property is located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
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The homeowner said: "It's just a sad state of affairs really. We're not best pleased about it."
A spokesman for Shropshire Council said: "The application was publicised in accordance with the legal requirements and Shropshire Council's policy by a site notice, and the application was also available to view in full on the planning portal on the council's website.
"We encourage residents to sign up to our planning online service where they can register their interest in receiving updates about applications for planning permission in their area.
"The system allows residents to set an area of interest and to track applications of interest."
