Suburban Dream Turns Sour Over Garden Plans
A fierce dispute has broken out in one of Bristol's most affluent suburbs after council officers approved controversial plans for a dramatic garden transformation. The conflict centres on a property on Cranbrook Road in the desirable Redland area, where the characteristic steep, greenery-filled hillside gardens are now at the heart of a neighbourhood falling-out.
Neighbours' Nightmare Versus Family's Vision
Residents fear they will be forced to look out at what they describe as a 'concrete pit' after homeowner Dhanesh Singh was granted permission to substantially alter his garden. The approved plans include removing large amounts of earth to level the steep slope, building an elevated annexe, and extending the back of the property.
Neighbours have voiced strong objections, claiming the 'monstrous' outbuilding will directly overlook their bedrooms and fundamentally damage the area's character. There are also serious concerns that the removal of substantial earth could destabilise neighbouring gardens, potentially causing them to collapse.
One neighbour told the Mail: 'You only have to look out the back door to see why we have been fighting it. It's absolutely ridiculous what they are doing. We've got very steep gardens, and what they intend to do on their side is just ludicrous.'
A Tale of Two Perspectives
However, Mr Singh presents a very different picture of the development. He insists there will be 'no overlooking' and strongly denies intentions to 'flatten' the garden and replace it with concrete. Speaking at a council meeting, he explained the garden would be divided into tiered grass sections for his children to play, while the extension would house an elderly relative.
'We're not asking for the world, we just want somewhere for our kids to play with their grandad,' the father stated, adding that his family felt 'victimised' by the ongoing dispute. He emphasised: 'The garden isn't going to be a concrete jungle.'
Despite these assurances, neighbours remain deeply unconvinced. On a street where properties average over £700,000, residents describe their 'nightmare' ordeal fighting what they consider an 'absurd' development that threatens the area's leafy charm and wildlife corridor.
Council Split and Structural Concerns
The planning committee itself was divided when making its decision last week. The vote resulted in a deadlock with four councillors supporting and four opposing the plans. Committee chairman Don Alexander used his casting vote to finally approve the controversial application.
The approved plans permit a five-metre extension at the back of the house and the removal of significant earth to level the garden. An outbuilding, already passed through permitted development, will be constructed on an elevated platform at the rear.
Neighbours on both sides worry about the structural implications. One resident expressed concerns: 'It could collapse. Unless they do it really, really properly, both gardens either side could collapse sideways and the ground at the back could slump forward.'
Works had already commenced on the garden prior to full approval but have been paused, leaving the site in what neighbours describe as a 'sorry state'. They report that diggers operated until 10pm during summer 2024, removing 'massive lorry-loads' of earth and creating a flat plinth with concrete walls.
The situation continues to highlight the tensions between individual property rights and neighbourhood character preservation in Bristol's conservation areas.
