A Hampton couple have criticised Richmond Council for not stopping their neighbour building an extension onto their house which they claim intrudes on their garden.

Larry and Brenda Lott say their neighbours on Byron Close have had planning permission approved for the extension, despite the planned extension "going into" their property.

They say this has meant they have lost storage space behind their shed and makes the back of their property unsightly.

Mrs Lott, 76, said: "I have lived in the borough all my life. Me and my husband moved to Hampton 28 years ago. We had a new neighbour move into the property almost eight years ago. 

"He has built a loft extension, which we were fine with a year ago, but this extension at the back goes into our property. He has not been stopped by Richmond Council, who keep passing us on to different people and aren't looking into this.

"There was no consultation when the planning application was put in. We only became aware of this when he start building and showed us the plans, which clearly show part of the extension going into our property.

"He even asked us to move our shed, which we can't. Richmond Borough are not doing anything about this."

A council spokesperson said: "The extension at this property is authorised by a Government Order (the General Permitted Development Order 2015). This Order allows home owners to carry out some works without the need for planning permission from the Council. 

"Last year a resident made a complaint to the Council that a breach of planning had occurred. An investigation was undertaken and indeed the resident (who made the complaint) was aware. However, following the investigation, the Council confirmed that the works do comply with the Government Order under the GPDO Prior Approval procedure. 
 
"It is important to note that any boundary and landownership disputes are private legal matters between parties."