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FURIOUS neighbors in Britain’s poshest postcode are calling on a millionaire businessman to immediately demolish a roof terrace he threw up without permission.
Robert and Lisa Heffer sparked outrage when a glass balustrade appeared above their £2million mansion in Sandbanks, Dorset.
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He has created a roof terrace which offers stunning views across Poole Harbor – home to ex-football stars Harry and Jamie Redknapp.
But residents complain that the illegal rooftop balcony infringes on their privacy.
And they’re counting on the busy businessmen and his family to throw raucous parties above their monster stack, allowing guests to peek into the private gardens and pools.
The Heffers, who bought the three-story cradle two years ago and have since renovated it, insist the glass balustrade was just a screen for the air conditioners.
Mr Heffer, who has made a fortune from his share in the family meat distribution business, filed a retrospective planning application that would have allowed him to keep the balcony.
The retrospective building permit is a planning requested after the construction of something.
But some neighbors in the area – where average house prices are £1.9million – have written letters of objection, citing a potential breach of privacy if the balcony is allowed to remain.
Dr Raymond Hill, who lives next door, accused Mr Heffer of hypocrisy after the meat tycoon planted trees in his own garden to give his brood privacy around the pool.
Dr Hill said: “It’s ironic because it would invade everyone’s privacy if the roof terrace was allowed to stay.
“There are fears that there will be parties on the roof.”
Another neighbour, Ross Holman, hammered home: “I object to the glass balustrade that has been added to the roof of this property.
“This was described in the application as a screening.
“However, it was not a screen as it was clear glass and would actually allow the large roof of this property to be used as a social space.
“This roof provides unobstructed views of the private gardens of neighboring properties and will remove the privacy they currently enjoy.
“The local authority should use their enforcement powers to have the glass balustrade removed.”
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, ridiculed the Heffers’ claim that the balustrade obscures, saying it is actually “clear glass”.
They said: “If allowed, the roof could be used to host parties.
“We want it taken down and the roof only used for essential maintenance.”
The neighbor warned that the balcony would “set a dangerous precedent” and disrupt the peace and privacy of the neighborhood.
“EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING”
Scott Garvey wrote a letter of objection on behalf of his stepfather who lives next door.
In it he wrote: “The retrospective application of the glass balustrade is extremely frustrating.
“When this was erected the developer assured the planning that it was a maintenance platform for air conditioning, very obviously that was not the intended use.
“It looks directly out and into my father-in-law’s garden, pool, patio and into his bedroom windows.”
The heads of planning for Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council have decided to refuse structure permission.
They called it a “strange and intrusive feature” that wouldn’t fit the neighborhood.
But a spokesman for Mr Heffer hit back at angry neighbours, saying the glass was ‘translucent’ and had no impact on the neighbourhood.
A spokesperson for Chapman Lily Planning, Mr Heffer’s planning officer, said: ‘The screens are translucent so they have no impact on the appearance of the neighborhood.
“We are confident that once we talk to the council and change our plans, they will be allowed.”
The Sun Online has approached Chapman Lily Planning for comment.
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