We hate our neighbour’s ‘oppressive’ four-bedroom home even though they say it’s their ‘dream’ – it’s ‘ruined our area’

reports Mr Mercer told a Dover District Council planning committee meeting last week he and his wife have owned the land for 38 years.

He explained they sold their previous house in 1991 "but retained ownership of the garden in the hope that one day we would be able to build our dream home".

Mr Mercer added they have had 10 letters of support.

Those in favour argued it was sympathetic to the site and well-screened from view.

However, nine letters of objection said the home was poorly designed and would be imposing while fearing it would mean a loss of trees and open space.

Resident Cathy Spalding told the committee: “I fear that if this planning application is approved those could be the thin end of the wedge.

“It would make it difficult for the council to resist a larger and even more oppressive dwelling on this site or indeed to resist further dwellings on this site.”

One submission to the council added: "We are concerned about harm to the landscape in the conservation area and therefore object to the application."

Nonetheless, the council recommended that the plans be approved.

A statement in support of the proposal read: "Detailed submissions have been made to address the sensitivities of the site and the concerns of officers and to demonstrate that the proposal could be appropriately located without causing undue harm to the public interest.

"The submitted surveys and reports demonstrate that the proposal has and will take the ecological sensitivities on and around the site fully into account."

The plan passed the committee by a vote of eight to one.

Labour councillor Susan Hill, who sits on the panel, said: "Mr Mercer has consulted all manner of agencies to protect trees and wildlife.

"The applicant has striven to accommodate all manner of concerns."

And her Tory colleague Nicholas Keaton added: "The ecology has been dealt with, the conservation officers have no issue with it and the overlooking is not significant at all."