A DAD is still struggling to sell his house more than a year after his neighbours built an extension.

Neal Robinson has been trying to sell his home in Markham Road, Witton, Blackburn, since last January.

The 52-year-old first raised concerns last year about the extension, which his neighbours started building in December 2017.

The work was completed in July last year – but Mr Robinson says it has put people off from buying his home.

He said part of the extension is so close that it touches the gutter pipes of his property.

Mr Robinson, who lives with wife Denise, 50 and son Scott, 27, and daughter, Emma, 22, said the couple have only had one offer for their home.

He said: “The estate agents valued the house at £159,950 but we’ve only had one offer of £98,000 since then.

“Ten people have also not turned up when viewings have been arranged and people have actually driven past our home, seen the extension, and decided not to view it.

“We want to move out of the area but we can’t.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council approved the two-storey side extension and extension of roof to create a second floor.

Mr Robinson said the application should never have been approved by the council.

He added: “In their reasons for granting planning permission, the council said the proposal was of appropriate design and appearance and would not be detrimental to the residential amenity for occupiers of the house.

“I feel as if my concerns have been disregarded from the start.”

Planning manager Gavin Prescott said Mr Robinson’s complaint has been investigated and that there was no fault in the council’s decision making process.

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He said: “Mr Robinson’s complaint has been fully and thoroughly investigated by both the council and the Local Government Ombudsman.

“The council’s investigation concluded that full consideration had been given to the planning application and all relevant legislation.

“The ombudsman report also concluded that there was ‘no fault’ in the council’s decision making process."