(That’s me, laughing!)
Before I tell you why, I just want to preface this with the following disclaimer: (!)
We have some great neighbours. Many have become good friends.
That’s it!
I didn’t want you to think that Grand Designs had painted a balanced picture!! 🙂
However, you may recall that though, several years ago now, the Planning Office and the Environment Agency approved of our new house design (actually they ‘applauded’ it)… certain neighbours managed to keep us from achieving planning permission for over 3 years!
The reason?
They didn’t want a 21st century, modern design, but would have preferred a pastiche of an older property. (“Tudorbethan”, as Kevin McCloud called it.)
In fact, during the process, and while attending the Henley Regatta, a somewhat relaxed (can I say, pickled?) neighbour put his head in his hands and wailed, “Why, oh why can’t you put a pointy roof on it?”
One imagines he was by now, pig-sick of the conversation at home, and in need of resolution and some peace!
You possibly know that personal taste isn’t a reason to deny planning permission. So the fact that this particular group of neighbours’ opinion cost us tens of thousands of pounds, a lot of time and not a little stress is a potential subject for investigation.
That enquiry may appeal to someone with a stronger stomach!!
Moving on…
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I caught a documentary on TV recently. It was an interview with the renowned architect David Chipperfield, who’d won the design for building our award-winning River and Rowing Museum.
I won’t spoil it. Just watch!
