Builder, 70, fined £2500 for erecting a balcony made out of tyres

I built a balcony out of TYRES onto the side of my home and all my neighbours love it… apart from the man next door

  • EXCLUSIVE:  A retired builder is fighting to keep his illegal balcony
  • But not all of his neighbours support his claim and want the structure destroyed

A builder who was fined £2500 for erecting an imposing balcony made from tyres overlooking his neighbour’s home has claimed his whole community supports his battle to keep the structure up – with one notable exception… his neighbour. 

Malcolm Hughlock, of Boosbeck, North Yorkshire, erected the detached house with a terrace, currently being used as a garden space, 18 months ago.

The 70-year-old and his wife Tracy, who own a number of properties in the immediate area, were given a three month reprieve from Redcar and Cleveland Council to tear down the veranda after residents on a neighbouring street complained about the eyesore.

After failing to do so, the pair were taken to court and slapped with a hefty fine but Malcolm insists the balcony does not blight the neighbourhood.

Speaking to MailOnline, the retired builder Malcolm said: ‘The balcony was always part of the home.

Retired builder Malcolm Hughlock is fighting to keep his illegal balcony, which he claims the neighbours approve of

The 70-year-old built the balcony without planning permission and has been fined by the council

The property is unusual in that it is built using tyres as foundations 

‘I built the balcony because the tenant who lives there loves to garden and it’s his garden space.

‘He has a number of Huskies and they would ruin plants in a garden, so that’s his space to garden without the dogs.

‘If the balcony was to come down, it wouldn’t impact me but it would impact him.

‘No one in the street has an issue with the balcony. I have full support from the neighbours.

‘I have a balcony that looks out onto other properties and the council haven’t complained about that so it seems a bit ridiculous to complain about that one.

‘The council have claimed that the breach is to do with how much harm is caused but it isn’t causing any harm.

‘The balcony is not used for sitting on. It is only for plants.’

The five-bedroomed detached home was originally an award-winning prototype that already included the balcony.

Malcolm built the home using car tyres as the foundation for the abode instead of concrete in order to lower costs.

The balcony is made out of glass, timber and steel and looks out onto a number of gardens.

When Malcolm and Tracy were taken to court, they pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a condition notice. They were each fined £200 plus £1,040 costs and a £34 ‘victim surcharge’.

Malcolm added: ‘I’m disillusioned with it all.

‘They said I had totally disregarded planning permission but I haven’t. You’re allowed to build first and then ask for planning permission, it’s what I’ve always done.

‘The fine is wrong. They hired a barrister for court and didn’t tell me, which raised their costs.

‘I’m trying to appeal the decision. Someone is coming out tomorrow from the planning permission department so I’m hoping they can say I can keep the balcony.

‘I don’t want to fight the fine, I just want to move on from it.

‘I want to keep all of the neighbours happy. That’s what we aim to do.

‘I haven’t raised rents in years so everyone can get a fair deal.’

As it directly overlooks the gardens of other people in a breach of their privacy 

However, a resident in a neighbouring street claims the balcony is an invasion of privacy.

Robert Lawe’s back garden is in the shadow of the terrace.

The 81-year-old, who has lived there for 47 years, claims he has never supported the balcony and that his garden is in full view of the veranda.

The former chemical plant worker said: ‘He’s never had any support from us.

‘When we complained we got back chat and he threatened us.

‘It’s an invasion of our privacy. You can see into our garden.

‘I had a hedge at the end of the garden and they started digging it out before I noticed. That’s when the fence was put up.

‘He does things before he gets permission.

‘He’s also cut trees down without permission.

‘I was happy when the council ruled that it had been a breach.

‘I know other neighbours who have asked him to cut the hedges down on his side and he hasn’t so it causes damage to the plants.

‘He comes out onto the balcony to water the plants so it’s still in use.

‘He comes out onto the balcony and talks to you but when you ask him to do something you get a load of back chat.

‘We used to have a lovely view of the hills and the trees but now it’s completely blocked off.

‘It hasn’t prevented us from using the garden, however.’

Neighbour Robert Lawe, 81, says that the balcony was erected without his permission 

He says he does not support Mr Hughlock’s right to have the balcony as it overlooks his garden

Mr Hughlock is determined to keep the balcony intact for his tenants 

Ann Passmore, who is in her 60’s, lives next door to the huge abode and sees no problem however. 

The Human Resources worker’s garden is visible from the terrace. However, she claims to fully support the former builder.

She said: ‘I support Malcolm 100 per cent. We even went to court for him as witnesses.

‘You can see my garden from the balcony but it’s never been an issue.

‘You can see people’s gardens from various homes – from windows or even on the street.

‘If someone walked past my house they could see into my garden.

‘It’s pathetic.’

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Council said ‘Our planning officers advise our residents and endeavor to offer clear guidance on planning applications. 

‘In this case we were able to grant planning permission to this application. 

‘However, regrettably conditions attached to the permission were not complied with which the applicant admitted in court. We remain in a dialogue with the applicant and hope this issue will be resolved as soon as possible.’

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