NEIGHBOURS at loggerheads over a 300mm roof ridge are no closer to solving their issues after planning chiefs granted retrospective permission for the mistake.

Homeowners Mr and Mrs Wallin were told they could keep their house in Curdridge the way it is following a calculation error which resulted in a higher roof.

Case officer Katie Nethersole told planning chiefs the elevation was 300mm higher than the permission originally granted for the two-storey home in Kitnocks Hill.

Ms Nethersole told the meeting last Thursday that as it "does not have an adverse impact on the neighbouring areas" and had no issues with allowing the mistake.

Steve Wallin, the owner, said: "Whilst I was working abroad the builders miscalculated the elevation for the porch and that resulted in the ridge being 300mm higher than intended. The roofline is not visible from the highway. As you're aware there's been one objection but we do not believe it adversely affects the neighbouring properties."

But objector, Mr Atkinson, the Wallins’ neighbour, told the meeting he had to jump through hoops for the council when he wanted to extend his home and claimed at no point was he consulted on the matter.

Cllr Iain Tait said: "I do sympathise with the applicants and the neighbour. But we do not want to exacerbate issues between neighbours. I think we've been dropped in it by the Parish Council. I think they've shirked their responsibility. I'm sympathetic to both parties and I'm sorry there is friction between neighbours."

Cllr David McLean added: "It is a great pity that the builder has bluntly not stuck to council permission. Mr and Mrs Wallin are in a situation where the property is completed. They would be at vast expense to put it right. I wish I could sit between the pair of you and help reach an amicable conclusion but you've got to reach it together."