STAR WARS
Neighbours row over observatory in garden
GAZING up at t the th twinkling t i kli constellations t ll in the vastness of space might seem like the most peaceful – and awe-inspiring – of hobbies.
But when astronomy enthusiast Melvyn Thurlbourn built an observatory in his garden, he didn’t see a furious row with his neighbours on the horizon.
A local woman complained to the council about a lack of privacy because the telescopes could be turned towards her back garden – and the glare from the dome forced her to wear sunglasses in her home. Following the complaint, backed by the local civic society, Mr Thurlbourn, 65, has been told to tear down the 12ft-high structure.
The retired electronic design engineer built the fibreglass observatory on top of his shed at his home in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, for £12,000 two years ago – but did not apply for planning permission.
‘I did all the neighbourly stuff before building it. Everyone was informed,’ he said. ‘Unfortunately at that particular house, the neighbour died and (she) moved in. I gave her plenty of opportunity to see what I was doing. She didn’t appear to have any problems and her son came round and saw exactly what I was putting up.’
But his neighbour said the dome was too high for a built-up residential area and the telescope was ‘intrusive’.
He applied for retrospective planning permission but the council refused. Mr Thurlbourn yesterday said he was appealing the decision. The neighbour, who did not want to be named, declined to comment.