A bitter dispute has broken out between residents on Dorset's exclusive Sandbanks peninsula, where plans to add a roof terrace and balconies to a block of flats are facing fierce opposition from neighbouring Airbnb owners who fear for their lucrative holiday let businesses.
Luxury Add-Ons Spark Privacy and Income Fears
The conflict centres on a three-storey, early 19th-century house on the so-called 'millionaire's row' in Poole Harbour. The property, already converted into five flats, is the subject of a joint application by its owners to build a large two-storey side extension. The plans include a substantial roof terrace and would provide each flat with an extra bedroom and an additional balcony.
However, the proposal has been met with significant local resistance, receiving 10 formal letters of objection. Three of these objections come directly from the adjacent block of flats, where several owners operate their properties as high-end holiday rentals.
The core of their complaint is that the new structure would constitute an 'inappropriate overdevelopment'. They argue it would severely impact their privacy, outlook, and natural light. For the Airbnb hosts, these are not merely quality-of-life issues but direct threats to their livelihood.
'A Significant Loss of Income': Holiday Let Owners Voice Dismay
Carolyn Storme, who runs her flat as a year-round holiday rental, stated the development would lead to a significant loss of income. 'The most critical issue for us is the privacy,' she said, explaining that her own large roof terrace would lose all its seclusion. She also fears the lengthy construction period would force her lettings agent to redirect potential guests elsewhere, damaging both her income and business reputation.
Echoing these concerns, Mark Fearon, another holiday let owner, highlighted the impact on light. 'The sheer size of the extension will impact the light to our flat and balcony which will destroy value and saleability of the flat itself,' he argued, adding that the scale of the build was out of character for the area.
Resident Prof Kay Davies criticised the design, saying the extension looked unsympathetically 'bolted on', creating an asymmetrical facade.
'We Are Not Developers': Applicants Defend Their Plans
In response, one of the applicants, Katrina Thom, has moved to clarify the plans and reject accusations of profiteering. She insisted that people have misunderstood some of the plans, clarifying that the garage roof would feature natural planting, not a terrace, and that all new balconies would have privacy screening.
'We are just average working people,' Thom stated, explaining she has lived there nearly 20 years and her family occupies one of the flats. 'We are not developers doing this to make money, we are doing this to stay in our homes... trying to support buildings not being knocked down.' The goal, she said, was to enhance living conditions and energy efficiency.
The controversial application is currently under consideration by the local planning authority, with a decision expected in the near future. The outcome will determine whether the extended living space for some comes at the permanent cost of privacy and profit for others on one of Britain's most exclusive stretches of coastline.
