Retiree calls neighbor's garden platform an 'East German guard tower' after it blocks sun

A Brighton retiree feels her garden has been ruined by a towering new structure built by her neighbors. She described the raised platform, which includes a 1.8-meter-high privacy screen, as resembling an "East German guard tower." The retiree told the Daily Mail that when she first saw the construction, she was shocked.

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I went into the garden and there were people there... and then, suddenly, there was this structure. Inside I was thinking, 'Oh my God'.

Initially, a simple ladder was present after the neighbors moved in. This was later replaced by the larger structure. The retiree claims the lack of sunlight has killed her palm tree and reduced the light reaching her kitchen window. "I still get light, but less than before, because of that structure," she stated, adding that she believes it has affected her property value. She also feels the platform is disproportionately large for the space, leaving no room for a clothesline.

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My palm tree died because of the lack of light.

Brighton's Local Council retroactively approved the construction in November 2025. The council acknowledged the platform would cause a slightly greater loss of light and view than the original structure. However, they concluded that the impact was not unacceptable given the modest size and distances to neighboring properties. The retiree disputes this, stating the effects are visible and have harmed her plants. The dispute has led to a complete breakdown in relations between the neighbors, with the retiree not speaking to them since discovering the structure.

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The larger terrace would lead to a slightly greater loss of light and view than the original structure. But, given the relatively modest size and distances to neighboring properties, this would not be to an unacceptable extent.