‘Our neighbour’s extension has caused three years of misery & the rows continue’

It’s been over three years since Harminder Singh Reehal first received the green light to build a handful of extensions to his home on Barnfordhill Close, Oldbury, from Sandwell Council's planners. 

However, after several failed attempts to get permission for a two-storey extension – he decided to build it anyway.

Sandwell Council's planning committee was due to decide on the latest proposals for the family home - which included a first-floor side extension, single-storey side extension and two-storey rear extensions - but quickly abandoned the debate after it was revealed by Mr Reehal that only one of the home's original walls was still in place.

Now, residents who were first plunged into the row over the planning permission in 2021 have spoken out about their frustration at the "unsightly" works. Samantha lives over the road from the address, she said she has been having trouble selling her house, which has been on the market for over a year.

Samantha, who didn't want her last name revealed, told the Express and Star: "It's been horrible. Just look at it. I've lost count now but it has been in that state for a long time. I've actually been trying to sell my own house and when we have house viewings, the potential buyers always mention it. It's made it hard to sell our houses. It's definitely had a negative effect on us all."

The residents also showed concern over the state of the building works, with the neighbour of the problem house saying she is concerned about the possibility of subsidence in her own home. The neighbour, who didn't want to be named, said: "I've only lived here for about a year, we actually bought this house to be closer to my partner's family.

“It's not great. It's actually damaged my wall on the side and we are concerned about the possibility of subsidence because it looks like they have done work to the floor. It's just not great."

The residents of Barnfordhill Close were plunged into a three-year debate between the building owners and the council, with another resident saying that they are fed up with the lack of action. David Summerhill, a resident of the address, said: "Just look at it, it's been that way for a good while now. What more can you say? It's ridiculous. Something needs to be done about it. It's unsightly. It's been going on for three years now."

Mr Raheel had apologised to neighbours following the planning meeting on March 27, saying the work had taken longer than expected. In the meeting, he said: "We just want to improve the area and get on. It's a family house, my mom and dad are supposed to come in and that's why we want to extend the house... I just want to look after my mom and dad."