A homeowner has hit back after they were asked to demolish a room built in their own garden because it 'blocks the view' of a golf course.
The local council has refused permission for the new structure behind a listed cottage in North Berwick, Scotland - but applicant Kenneth Walker argued that the room simply replaced one which already existed in the garden and was the same size.
It followed a flurry of complaints from local people, including one which described the building as looking "alien" against the backdrop of historic cottages.
Other neighbours complained that it blocked out light, while another said it was in clear view of the Glen Golf Course and local footpaths.
East Lothian Council denied retrospective planning permission for the garden room in December after ruling it was 'inappropriate' when compared to the listed building cottages, reports Edinburgh Live.
It said: "It masks and draws focus away in views from the public footpath and golf course.
"It is therefore a form of development that is harmful to the setting of the listed building and the terrace of listed buildings of which the application's house is a part."
Mr Walker has since lodged an appeal with the council's Local Review Body over the decision, and claims he had simply restored a property and garden that had been in "disrepair" prior to him moving in.
He said: "When we purchased the cottage it was in a state of disrepair and the garden room and associated decking were not fit for purpose.
"Our builders did not realise planning was required due to the size of the outbuilding and that we were replacing what was already there with something similar in size."
The appeal will be heard at a virtual meeting of the Local Review Body next week.
