How will you get in your back door when my window is open?
Mum’s rage as new house is built just 2 yards from her family’s ‘happy place’
A MUM has hit out after a house was built so close to her home that she can open her bathroom window and chap her neighbour’s door.
Niki Caira, of Thornton, Fife, was horrified when she discovered just how close the luxury home was going to be to her property.
The mum of seven, 39, said she can’t understand why Fife Council agreed to allow KJJ Properties and businessman Alex Penman to build the two £350,000 new homes, despite objections and “serious” concerns from neighbours.
Niki and husband Mario first objected to the planning application for the properties in 2020, however they were given the go-ahead in June last year. After building work started in May, Niki said she measured the space between the two properties and said there is just 2m (6ft 7in) between her roof and the new property, with a wall directly blocking light to two windows.
Niki said: “It’s an eyesore. When I complained about it, the builder suggested I put up a high wall to hide the property. My kids would feel like they were living in a prison with a 10ft wall surrounding them.”
Aesthetics practitioner Niki, has lived at her home with Mario, her children and mum Mhairi for the last 16 years. She described it as their “wee sanctuary” and “happy place” but says she fears they will be forced to move over safety concerns and lack of privacy.
Niki added: “We loved our home but now I feel stressed every time I look out of my windows. It’s such a shame because we were all so happy living here until now.”
Niki, who works from home, has put a sign up on her house that states: “How will you get in your back door when our windows are open? Whilst passing please preserve our privacy by not looking in our toilet window.”
She told the Daily Record she was asked by builders to close her bathroom window to allow them to erect a scaffold as there was not enough space for them to do so with it open.
She added: “Surely this highlights just how close it is to our house? It’s not practical or safe.
“It’s disgraceful this has been allowed to happen.
“I have no objections to homes being built on the land but what is the need for it to be so close to our house? It’s sheer greed and disrespect.”
Niki’s husband Mario added: “If a fire starts in one house, it will spread to the next almost instantly. Our eaves are only 2m apart.”
Fife Council service manager Alastair Hamilton confirmed the building has been built to comply with the approved planning permissions.
Robert F MacDonald, of Robert F MacDonald Solicitors, acting on behalf of KJJ builders and Alex Penman, said: “My clients are satisfied they have complied with all relevant planning and building control requirements in respect of the two properties currently being erected.
“Mr and Mrs Caira did have the opportunity to appeal the planning decision but did not do so. Once the work has been completed, there will be a 1.3-metre gap between the walls of the new build and Mr and Mrs Caira’s house, which exceeds the statutory minimum.”