PLANNERS have agreed changes to a first floor extension and new roof terrace with balconies at a property off The Avenue, Poole – despite the concerns of neighbours, including a church.

Residents of an adjoining housing complex and the next door church objected what were described as “significant changes” at Kingsgate House, 7 The Avenue, fearing their privacy would be compromised by overlooking.

But BCP’s planning committee approved the alterations on the condition changes are made to fit opaque glass to maintain privacy.

The committee heard that both of the nearest buildings are more than 30metres away although open areas, which could be overlooked, are closer.

Among the objectors was Christ Church, Westbourne, which said in a letter to the council that the proposed extensions would allow people to look into the ground floor of the church hall and on anyone using its patio area.

A planning officer recommended approving the application telling councillors that the house owner already had a previous permission which could still be used which would result in an even larger property than the one now being planned.

Around 20 letters had been sent to the council raising concerns about potential harm to nearby trees, noise and light pollution, a loss of privacy for residents at Kingsgate block of flats and the Hedinglea apartments at 5 The Avenue where most of the 40 residents are said to have an average age of 75.

A letter from the block’s management company question why the changes to Kingsgate House, previously known at The Cottage, needed a fourth open space at second floor level which would overlook the communal patio.

The planning committee heard that because the property was set back from the road it was not readily visible from the street and its scale would be in keeping with adjoining properties although the first floor extension was likely to cause some shading to the church hall in the late afternoon although this was not considered to be harmful to the building’s use.