HOMEOWNERS in Bridport's Nursery and Cordova Gardens say a new house that is going up has robbed them of their privacy and knocked thousands of pounds off the value of their properties.

Twelve households have written to West Dorset District Council planners to protest about what they thought would be a replacement bungalow suddenly turning into a full-sized house overlooking their homes and gardens.

The residents say: "Prior to this house being built, the plot of land was occupied for many years by a bungalow which was in keeping with the low level of the surrounding properties. It was understood by the residents that following the demolishing of this bungalow, a replacement chalet bungalow was to be erected.

"It has now become obvious from the height of the roof timbers that this is in fact a full-size house with a high, steeply pitched roof, with windows that face directly into numbers 4,5 and 6 Cordova Gardens, removing the privacy that these residents had in their back bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms.

"The height of the roof timbers indicates that the new building will tower over the bungalows in Nursery Gardens as it will be at least twice their height. For these residents it will be tantamount to living next door to a block of flats."

Residents say planners appear to have shown scant concern for existing residents.

Mrs Isbella Cooper who lives in Nursery Gardens, said she was told by a planning officer that a notice was posted detailing the new plans for the house and no objections were lodged in the eight weeks that the notice was up.

"I never saw it. I suffer from bad eyesight and a lot of the residents here are elderly, my neighbour is 81, and no-one saw it. We didn't mind a bungalow being built but this is not in keeping with the area at all. The owners told us themselves it would be a chalet bungalow but they never told us they were changing their plans.

"I love my garden but this has taken all my privacy away from me and has knocked £20,000 off my bungalow."

"I am 75 years old. I think they thought them old dears won't take any notice but this old dear did. It affects me most."

A spokesman for West Dorset District Council said the application was the original one, which was for a chalet-style one-and-a-half storey dwelling. The statutory advertising procedure was followed, which involved a site notice near or at the frontage of the property and an advert in the local press, added the spokesman.

The matter was dealt with under delegated powers as there were no objections from local people or the town council.