Frosted reception to Fassbenders’ project

THE family of Hollywood star Michael Fassbender have been granted permission for a small housing development behind their home – but only if they use frosted glass to ensure that the occupants cannot see into their neighbours’ gardens.

The two-storey mews houses will overlook the Killarney National Park in Kerry. Building work on the project had halted early in the summer after residents complained that the houses went beyond the original plans and included large windows overlooking people’s gardens.

The Irish actor’s parents Adele and Josef were granted clearance in 2008 for four townhouses in the courtyard of their protected home, known as West End House.

By June of this year, the four mews houses had reached roof level, and local residents noticed that openings had been made for large windows on the eastern side of the development – windows that were not in the original plans, and which would overlook gardens and allegedly interfere with the privacy of neighbours.

What was being built was also higher and wider, residents told Kerry County Council.

In July, the Tralee Circuit Court granted a court injunction ordering all work to cease.

However, work was allowed to resume, with the windows shuttered up, as Josef Fassbender applied for retention planning.

That has now been granted by the council, allowing the development to be completed.

The first-floor windows overlooking the neighbours’ gardens have been given the go-ahead but must be fitted with ‘frosted/bevelled glass to prevent overlooking onto adjoining properties to the north east’.