A proposed ‘mancave’ in Castle Bromwich has received planning approval, angering local residents who raised privacy concerns
Castle Bromwich: So, there’s this ‘mancave’ that just got the green light from the planners in Solihull. The guy behind it, Abbas Yousuf, pitched his idea for a garden outbuilding last July, calling it a “lounge space/mancave.”
But not everyone is thrilled. Neighbors are pretty upset, saying it’s too big and doesn’t fit in with the area. They first looked at the plans back in December but decided to hold off until they could see the building in person.
They finally took a look on January 8, just before the latest meeting. Some neighbors, John and Elizabeth, even shared a statement expressing their worries about privacy. They pointed out that the windows would look right into their living spaces, which is a big deal for them.
One council member, Dave Pinwell, mentioned that the outbuilding is about the size of a small bungalow, which raised eyebrows. He said they wouldn’t allow a small bungalow to be built there.
However, an officer from the council explained that if the building had a flat roof, it could be built without needing permission. So, even if they turned it down, it could still go up under different rules.
The committee chairman, Bob Grinsell, said they were trying to find a balance for the neighbors. In the end, they voted seven to one in favor of the project, with some conditions attached to it.
