Neighbour row erupts over newbuild property that makes homeowner feel like a 'prisoner' in her garden

A neighbour row has broken out over newbuild property that makes the homeowner feel like a "prisoner" in her own garden.

Lorie Williams, who lives in a £2.5million Victorian property in Bromley, south east London, described feeling trapped in her own home following the start of construction work on a neighbouring five-bedroom house.

The 47-year-old mother claimed the development, positioned mere inches from her garden boundary, has transformed her life into what she describes as a "living nightmare" since building commenced in March.

The owner of the seven-bedroom mansion is now pursuing legal action against the local authority, arguing the project should never have received approval.

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Ms Williams said: "I feel boxed in. It's claustrophobic. I want to move now. I hate it. Who would want to live here?"

She told The Daily Mail that the construction has wiped hundreds of thousands of pounds from her property's value, leaving the family unable to enjoy their outdoor space.

The mother said: "It has taken hundreds of thousands of pounds off the value of the property. We don't use the garden. It might as well not be there.

"Everything we have worked so hard for is being ruined by this development."

Where the family once enjoyed sweeping views across green open land, they now face a wall of scaffolding.

Ms Williams also maintains that the building work has blocked substantial amounts of natural light from reaching her home.

Within days of construction beginning, Ms Williams lodged formal complaints with both the Health and Safety Executive and Bromley Council, who she holds responsible for the situation.

She said: "This should never have been granted planning permission by Bromley Council. Not one representative came to our home to see how this would affect us."

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The family has since sought specialist legal counsel regarding their options.

According to Ms Williams, a solicitor specialising in "right to light" matters has indicated they have grounds for a case, which she says represents their next course of action.

The family alleges that construction workers have been peering into their home throughout the day, prompting them to abandon use of their extensive garden entirely.

Ms Williams told The Mail: "We can't look out our windows anymore without the fear people are looking at us.

She added: "Our blinds are constantly down, we have lost our privacy."

The mother claimed that visitors are all shocked by how overbearing the development appears in relation to her property and that each reminder of the situation deepens her depression over what has happened to her home.

The neighbouring project received planning approval in November and is being designed by an architect who intends to reside there with his family.

GB News has contacted Bromley Council and Justin Laurence, the developer, for comment.

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