A View to a Wall: The Family’s Predicament
Liz Bates, a 42-year-old mother, owns a house right on the beach in Poole, on England’s south coast. But recently, the peace was shattered when a 2.4-meter (just under 8 feet) wall shot up only a few feet from her terrace. This new barrier, part of a luxury residential development, has completely blocked her family’s cherished sea view. According to The Sun, the construction started alarmingly close to her property, quite literally changing everything overnight.
Legal Battle and Daily Frustrations
Now, Liz finds herself up against a property developer in what she calls a real legal tug-of-war – with no guarantee she’ll prevail. She told the British tabloid:
“We keep our doors and windows closed, no matter how hot it gets, because the construction workers are outside smoking and the smoke gets right into our home.”
Liz explained that building blocks began appearing right outside her house. While there was planning permission for a terrace, the developer never submitted any detailed plans showing where it would be placed. Liz and her family assumed it would be at the front of the new apartments, not up on top of the wall on the first floor. As she puts it, “It’s just pure provocation on his part.”
Trapped in a Devalued Home
Liz isn’t optimistic about her ongoing row with Eddie Fitzsimmons of Vivir Estates. As if shattered views weren’t enough, she now faces another blow: the value of her home has plummeted by £50,000 (around €57,000 or about $61,000 USD). As she told the press:
“My family has lived here for 100 years. I grew up here. We’d like to move, but estate agents say our house has lost so much value because of this construction that we simply can’t. So, we’re stuck.”
The Developer’s Defence and Local Reaction
On his side, the developer claims he’s done nothing wrong. He counters:
“No property owner in the UK has a legal right to a view – that’s the law. It’s a plot of land opposite existing homes and, yes, it’s a shame people lose their view. But I believe this project will improve the neighbourhood and property prices will rise as a result.”
The dispute has sparked further criticism from locals about developers’ aggressive tactics:
- “There’s more and more profit, but at someone’s expense. Some developers will try anything to get building permissions – including using the names of deceased architects!”
- “People fantasise about fighting for their ‘lost views’ like in Corsica, but over 90% who try on their own end up with legal trouble – even jail time, plus costs and fines.”
For Liz and her family, the wall isn’t just about losing a view. It’s about losing freedom, peace, and the value of a home that’s been in the family for generations – with no easy escape in sight.
