A Peisley Street property owner is fuming after the light from his window was blocked by a new building under construction next door.
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A concrete wall covers the entire view out of Eddie Eid’s window and he said it blocks light from five separate one-way windows in his upstairs area.
However the owner of the new building said his project complied with building regulations and had been approved by Orange City Council
But Mr Eid said the result was a “disaster”.
He said he believed the new construction should have allowed him a window view and light through his one-way block windows that are designed to let light in but not be seen through.
Mr Eid said he had a view out the window for some time since a previous building had been demolished on the site. That building had also blocked the window view.
Mr Eid said he had been constructing a residential unit above a commercial site for several years.
He said he had seen a design sketch of the new building in a real estate agent’s office that he believed showed the rear of the building would be lower than the front allowing his light to be retained.
“I need my window back,” he said. “I need my light, I need to breathe. I have rights.”
Mr Eid also said the impact of construction work had caused cracks in his concrete floor and was considering taking legal action.
Mr Eid said the upstairs apartment was “residential.” He said it had been used for accommodation over many years and therefore required windows.
The owner of the new building Geoff Gale said he had done nothing wrong.
“I can’t see what he has to complain about. Everything has been done to the letter of the law.”
He said he had not known about the windows. “No, I wasn’t aware of it. I was a bit surprised by that.”
Mr Gale said he had received letters from Mr Eid including one about damage to his concrete floor. He said his solicitor had asked Mr Eid for photographic evidence and a structural engineer’s report and was waiting for a reply.
Mr Gale said the site was zoned commercial. “I’m building it to lease out for a tenant,” he said.
Orange City Council spokesman Nick Redmond said: “Council is aware of Mr Eid’s concerns about the renovations to the commercially-zoned building next door to his premises in Peisley Street.
“Council’s legal representatives have responded to correspondence from Mr Eid’s lawyers and it would be inappropriate for council to make any comment outside those legal channels,” Mr Redmond said.