ANOTHER retrospective application, described as "particularly flagrant" is being scrutinised by city councillors.

Members of the planning committee will undertake a site visit to see a house's raised terrace built without prior permission in Shedfield.

The planning committee heard that Gerry Gamblin has built the terrace on the back of Fairgone on Black Horse Lane.

That has sparked objections from a neighbour, citing a loss of privacy

Alexandra Webb, of Southern Planning Practice, speaking for neighbours Mr and Mrs Walsh told the committee: "Despite twice being asked to stop by enforcement officers he continued carrying on building, showing a complete disregard for the planning system."

Ms Webb said the terrace was "harmful in terms of visual impact and is not appropriate in this rural setting. There is a line of sight from the terrace to the neighbour's kitchen. This loss of privacy is not acceptable."

She added: "The terrace is excessive, out of keeping and results in over-bearing impact. There is no screening to the south which is where my neighbours live."

The plan came to committee at the request of Shedfield Parish Council which also objects to the loss of privacy and the new access onto Solomons Lane.

Cllr David McLean told the committee: "Looking at the photos, you say the terrace is retrospective but if where the actual height of the French windows that open out onto the terrace; if the terrace had been made at the time, or hadn't been made, you would have walked out and fallen the best part of two metres. That tells me the terrace was planned right from the very start and something particularly flagrant is going on here."

Cllr Mike Read said: "It is going to be extremely overpowering over the neighbouring properties. It is excessively high and doesn't respect the neighbouring properties."

The planning officers were recommending that the retrospective application be approved.

But the committee voted to hold a site visit, going on to the property, by six votes to three on a date to be fixed. That means the committee decision has been deferred.