'Ghastly' roof terrace blights view from my home, says peer’s wife

A peer's wife has hit out at an “absolutely ghastly” roof terrace that residents claim was given planning permission “by the back door”.

Writer and artist Valerie Rossmore said the structure already “blights” the view from her £1.8 million Islington home and could soon overlook her sitting room and bathroom.

Work on the extension began without full planning permission about four years ago under a previous owner. Islington council granted retrospective approval despite the property being in a conservation area.

Lady Rossmore, whose home has featured in the Channel 4 series Other People’s Houses, said: “It completely blocks out the light.” She added: “A roof terrace would be devastating to the peace and privacy within my home. A young planning officer came to my house and was horrified by what she saw. She assured me that the application would be refused.”

Lady Rossmore said she could not believe that “our elected councillors allowed this to happen behind their backs”. An application to develop the house next door out of a garage was approved by the planning committee in 2005 — on condition that the roof space should not be used as a terrace. But last month an application for use as a roof terrace, adding a metre to the height, was approved by a planning officer under delegated powers.

An Islington spokesman said: “The council has considered objections from neighbours and we have brought the application to a public planning committee when appropriate.” It addressed the privacy issue by demanding that the new developer install screens.

The decision to grant permission will be subject to an appeal to the Local Government Ombudsman.