TWO neighbours have clashed over plans for a new granny flat in a Furness village.

Applicant Steve Mouland and objector Steve Crowe of Woodbines Lane,  Newton, disagreed at a meeting of Barrow Borough Council’s planning committee.

Mr Mouland, of Paddock View, off Newton Cross Road, applied for permission to convert and extend a detached existing garage to create a new one-bedroom, single-storey property for an elderly relative.

But Mr Crowe, of neighbouring Greenacres, told councillors it would have an ‘overbearing impact and privacy loss’ on his home.

Mr Crowe claimed that land which should only have been used for agricultural purposes had been used for ‘scrap cars and vans’ which was ‘detrimental’ to the rural area.

He said he bought his home 18 years ago for its rural nature and privacy, but claimed that ‘several extensions and buildings’ had been erected since Mr Mouland bought the neighbouring house in 2014.

However, in mitigation, the committee heard the applicant had withdrawn applications in the past and had worked with council officers to submit revised plans to find a compromise.

Mr Mouland said: “I’ve worked closely with the council officer and there are no windows in this proposed development which overlook next door at all.”

“It is not the first time they (Mr Crowe) have complained. Whatever it is that we do do, they complain. They have windows overlooking into ours but there’s no complaints from us as regards our privacy issues.”

The applicants denied any of their other buildings overlooked Mr Crowe’s property and pointed out that the buildings were legitimately on their land.

Principal planning officer Charles Wilton said the new granny flat complied with the council’s standards for daylight and privacy.

“There can be an element of subjectivity about these things and its very much a decision for the committee,” said Mr Wilton.

Cllr Bill McEwan said: “We had a site visit and I couldn’t see any problem with it, I couldn’t see it being overbearing.”

The planning committee agreed.