Woman ‘disgusted’ that new homes overlook her garden

A homeowner is “disgusted” that new houses that have been built at the back of her property overlook her garden.

Jackie Bowey, of Alard Road in Knowle West, says a housing developer has “gone against its word” by building four homes looking into her garden.

But BoKlok – a joint venture between IKEA and Skanska – says its development in south Bristol “meets the required guidelines and standards”.

Bristol City Council has, however, confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the concerns raised about the BoKlok on the Brook development.

Jackie Bowey of Alard Road is unhappy that new houses overlook her garden – photo: Charlie Watts

Jackie, a Tesco worker, says she was assured by the BoKlok team that the new houses would not overlook her garden when she went to look at the plans for the development.

The 60-year-old said: “My privacy is gone. They can look through my living room and my bedroom, and I think it’s absolutely disgusting.”

BoKlok is building 173 houses and apartments in total on green space along Airport Road, which is between Knowle West and Hengrove. The “flat-pack” homes are built in a factory and craned into place.

Swedish housing developer BoKlok is building 173 homes on land along Airport Road, which is between Knowle West and Hengrove – photo: BoKlok

Fellow Alard Road resident Michelle Bartley, whose garden is overlooked by the new development as well, says she was also told by BoKlok that this would not happen.

Four houses have been built at the back of her home, but she says a BoKlok representative told her it would only be three.

The 61-year-old added: “I feel like it’s an invasion of my privacy. It makes my garden look smaller, and I don’t like it at all.”

Michelle Bartley has also had houses built overlooking her garden in Knowle West – photo: Charlie Watts

Jackie also says that BoKlok has told her there is nothing it can do about her concerns now the houses have been built.

She wants BoKlok to pay for and put up a fence at the back of her home – but says the developer has told her it cannot do this “due to planning permission” .

Michelle adds that she would like to see trees planted between her garden and the new houses – but says she has not heard back from BoKlok.

Bristol City Council has now launched an investigation into the complaints raised about the BoKlok on the Brook development – photo: Charlie Watts

When asked to comment on Jackie and Michelle’s concerns, a spokesperson for BoKlok said its homes will “enhance and transform” the local area and that 46% will be “affordable”.

A BoKlok spokesperson told Bristol24/7: “Following an extensive consultation process with the local community, who are also potential customers − we have designed our homes with these important stakeholders in mind.

“Bristol City Council’s planning team have also undertaken a rigorous process to ensure our development meets the required guidelines and standards, enabling us to bring much needed sustainable and quality homes to this area of Bristol.

“We are aware that an enquiry has been made to Bristol City Council concerning the proximity of some of our homes to a small number of existing residential properties, and we are responding to this enquiry.”

A Bristol City Council spokesperson added: “An investigation is underway and a visit will be carried out in due course. We expect to have an update on the findings of the investigation within the next four weeks.”

Charlie Watts is reporting on Knowle West as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media

Main photo: Charlie Watts

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