A homeowner used Google Earth to keep the deck with one council after a construction authorization dispute.
Gareth William Leek from Pontypool, Torfaen, was announced that a planning application for his Decking years was necessary after his creation because it was about 50 cm too far from the earth.
The development of more than 30 cm (12 inches) requires the building permit, but the local authorities must take measures within four years for most developments.
A planning officer came to the conclusion that there was no reason to doubt that the deck was not “essentially completed” for less than four years, and the certificate of Mr. Leek's legitimate development was granted.
Gareth Leek used photos that were taken back in 2017 to take his case to the Council [Local Democracy Reporting Service]
The application stated that the deck had been completed in October 2017, and an explanation of a neighbor supported Mr. Leek's claim since at least 2019 when she moved to St. Augustine Road in Griffithstown, Pontypool.
As part of his evidence, Mr. Leek also drew old photos that were due to August 2017 when the increased wooden platform was built.
The planning department of the council members said that the 4.84 m wide and 3.82 m long, light gray composite ceiling is 83 cm from the floor level, which means that it is a little more than half a meter above the height that requires planning of 30 cm.
The planning officer Simon Pritchard said that the Council had accepted the evidence presented by Mr. Leek, which contained a Google Earth Affords from June 2018.
Mr. Pritchard said that the council himself had no evidence of any other or someone else to contradict the information provided.