A DEVELOPER issued with a 'stop notice' over concerns he was building a house instead of a double garage in a Poole garden has said he will comply with his planning permission.

The development to the rear of a home in Brixey Road raised the heckles of neighbours last year with its tall pitched roof, windows, two doors and even a letter box.

They shared their concerns with the council's planning department - and the Daily Echo, which covered the story last September.

After issuing 'advice' over several months, Borough of Poole stepped in with a temporary stop notice over the roof height, doors and windows. The notice issued on April 11 called work to a halt, and also stated that the building has "the appearance of a domestic two storey independent self-contained unit of accommodation".

But developer Tony Phillips, who is working on two garages at the same site, said the matter was resolved and he was now building in accordance with his planning permissions. He added: "They're garages - there's nothing else they can be."

But when asked if he had any other plans for the site in the future he added: "I've asked for garages and I've got garages - what happens in the future nobody ever knows."

The site has a busy planning history, with several planning applications to develop the garden space for housing turned down.

In 2014 planning permission was granted for a double garage, and last July planners granted permission for a second double garage right next to it.

Neighbour Tina Clarke told the Echo: "It's worrying us all. It's a garden and he's trying to build a mini cul-de-sac. They're so huge - they just look like monsters."

Andy Dearing, team manager enforcement, Borough of Poole, said they were alerted to "a possible breach of planning" and "continued to respond to complaints that it was the intention of the owner to build a house on the land, despite receiving planning permission for a double garage".

He added: "Despite attempts to engage with the developer, it was clear he was continuing to build in contravention of the planning permission granted. In order to protect local residents from further unauthorised building work, the council issued a formal notice requiring all construction work to cease."

A spokesman for Borough of Poole later added: "On reaching written agreement with the owner that the building would have the roof removed and rebuilt to comply with approved plans and door and windows amended, the notice was lifted on April 20."