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A scaffolder who lives on a millionaire’s row in one of the south coast’s most sought after neighbourhoods has outraged neighbours – by erecting a toilet that drains into a cesspit in his garden.
Gary Levesconte installed the toilet in the newly built summerhouse in his back garden so he and visiting family and friends wouldn’t need to walk back to the main house.
But he had to also install a submerged cesspool in his garden to take all the waste from it – and neighbours claim it stinks.
Now some have formally complained that when it emits an ‘unbearable stench’ which wafts through a leafy road in a suburb of Bournemouth, Dorset, where the average house price is over £1m.
Mr Levesconte, who runs his own scaffolding business, didn’t get planning permission for the summer house, toilet and cesspool. It is usually required for any outbuilding with plumbing.
Gary Levesconte (pictured) who lives on a millionaire’s row in one of the south coast’s most sought after neighbourhoods has outraged neighbours – by erecting a toilet that drains into a cesspit in his garden
Some neighbours have formally complained when the cesspool emits an ‘unbearable stench’ which wafts through the street in Dorset
A number have sent BCP Council letters of objection, saying the smell will lead to property prices in the ‘pleasant residential area’ to plummet
He has now submitted a retrospective planning application in a bid to keep it. But could be forced to demolish if the council find against him.
The move hasn’t gone down well with neighbours.
A number have sent BCP Council letters of objection, saying the smell will lead to property prices in the ‘pleasant residential area’ to plummet.
Greg Howe, a former company director who lives in a £1m Georgian-style six-bed detached house next door to the applicant, said: ‘[The road] is a pleasant tree lined avenue and is one of nicest roads in [the area].
‘I am concerned that if this toilet and cesspit is allowed to remain then it will have a detrimental impact on not just the value of my home but all the others in the road as well.
‘Whenever it is emptied it creates an unbearable stench that permeates the entire road. It is horrendous.
‘It makes it impossible to open the windows or venture outside.
‘We are not in the middle of the countryside where there might be a need for a property to have a cesspit, nor are we living in Victorian times.’
In his application Mr Levesconte said he built the summer house to replace an old one that was at risk of falling down.
He is the freeholder of a large detached property that has been converted into three flats over three floors.
Greg Howe (pictured), a former company director, is against the plans
He lives with his partner in the first floor, three bedroom flat which is valued at over £250,000.
He said it is intended to be used ‘in the summer when having barbecues or family round’ and that the cesspool is emptied every six months.
But Henrikka Kemppi, who lives in a flat above Mr Levesconte’s, said: ‘Mr Levesconte and his family have access to two bathrooms within their own flat.
‘By allowing the installation of the cesspool I would be subjected to the odour of my neighbours and their relatives’ bodily waste.
‘Considering the size of Mr Levesonte’s extensive family, the cesspool would likely be utilised by a significant number of people.
‘If Mr Levesconte requires an additional toilet facility he should explore options such as connecting it to the mains. Allowing the installation of a cesspool would lead to property devaluation for neighbours all for the convenience of one individual.’
Neighbour Anne Lowe said: ‘I find abhorrent the idea of the unnecessary erection of a cesspool in a pleasant residential area.’
Linda Bedford said: ‘I do not think a cesspool is necessary in an urban area with a mains sewage system. It is unnecessary in a summer house, when there is a toilet in the main building.
‘It is a potential health hazard if not properly maintained and emptied, and would be a source of terrible smells during the emptying process.
‘It would be detrimental to anyone in the vicinity, and especially anyone attempting to enjoy the back gardens.’
Levesconte is the freeholder of a large detached property that has been converted into three flats over three floors
However Mr Levesconte, 57, claims that the cesspool does not produce any smells.
He also accused Mr Howe of spreading wrong information about him in a letter he sent to the residents making them aware of Mr Levesconte’s retrospective planning application.
Mr Levesconte said: ‘It is not my intention to upset any of my neighbours.
‘They say the smell is disgusting but there is no smell.
‘The toilet has been fitted correctly.
‘I had a 60th birthday party in the garden three weeks ago and I never smelt anything.
‘(The toilet) is not used daily or even weekly. But when we have the grandchildren over you can imagine how many times they want to go to the toilet and we have a first floor flat with a spiral staircase to get to it.
‘He (Mr Howe) has claimed the smell is disgusting all the time but no way is that the case, that is not true.
‘It is emptied once in six months and I have had it emptied just once since I have had it and it wasn’t that bad.’
Mr Levesconte added that the nearest mains sewage pipe he could connect the toilet to was 500 yards away and it was not practical to do this.
He added: ‘I phoned Wessex Water and found out that the only property where the pipes go under the ground is… at the top of the hill 500 yards away.
‘If the council closes it down there is nothing I can do about it. I am not going to beef about it.
‘He (Mr Howe) said the summer house is used as a dwelling but it isn’t. I have no intention of using it as a dwelling.
‘Me and my partner go down there and relax for a couple of hours.’
Referring to the letter Mr Howe sent to local residents about the planning application, Mr Levesconte said: ‘The letters were delivered to the residents… It is harassment.’
Mr Howe admitted sending the letter but said it was based on fact.
He said: ‘I did send a letter to neighbours because there were a lack of planning notices pinned up about the application. I didn’t write anything that was untrue.’
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