A Fife family is demanding answers as a new build home is being erected within touching distance of their house.
Niki and Mario Caira, who have seven children, have lived in Main Street, Thornton for 15 years.
But their idyllic surroundings have been ruined as two homes are in the process of being erected on a neighbouring plot of ground that was formerly a paddock.
At ground level they say the gap between the existing property and the new build is 125 centimetres.
This is slightly below the 130cm approved by Fife Council, with a render still to be applied.
But when the Cairas have their bathroom window ajar, this gap is cut to just 84cm.
Sign asks ‘how will you get in your back door?’
The couple are questioning why the application by KJJ Properties Ltd was ever approved by Fife Council planning.
In protest, a large sign on their family home states: “How will you get in your back door when our windows are open?
“When passing by please preserve our privacy by not looking in our toilet window.”
To make matters even worse, an overhang to the roof of the new build cuts the distance between the houses even further.
The Cairas measure the gap from the edge of their gutter to the home at less than 75cm.
As the new build is at a lower level to their two-storey home, they are concerned that a fire might rise into their property.
They also think their drain is right next to the new house.
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Mrs Caira said: “We are so upset and so stressed. We can’t believe how close the houses are.
“From the edge of our house I can lean over and touch their brickwork and I’m under 4ft 11in.
“People walking past the side of their house have to pass our bathroom window and could look at me on the toilet.”
Kirkcaldy-based KJJ Properties made the planning application in November 2020.
The Cairas objected but it was approved in July by council officers.
“After building started just before Christmas, we complained again,” Niki added.
“Fife Council sent someone out to measure and I said to him this is like Boris Johnson investigating partygate. It ended up in an argument.”
She is also now questioning the boundary line.
“I also think the house is built in the wrong place because my drain is beside their property. My house has been here for decades.”
Impact of touching distance new build
Mrs Caira, who claimed work on site has been starting as early as 6am, said the development has affected her mental health and caused her stress.
The couple’s three-year-old son Tino has autism and is distressed by the green layer on the partially-built roof reflecting into their bathroom.
She adds: “It’s really impacting on our lives. We have three kids still at home and we’re always outdoors in the garden.
“We have music on, toys out the back, our patio doors open. That’s our life and it’s not right beside their house.
“Why should I feel like I have to build a higher wall, like a prison? What have I done wrong?”
She also thinks the new builds will decrease the value of her house.
Fife Council responds
Despite the issues raised, Fife Council claims the development meets their criteria.
Service manager Alastair Hamilton said building has been built to comply with the approved planning permissions.
He said: “Any boundary disputes are private legal issues for the parties to resolve. Land ownership is not related to the granting of planning permission.
“The building will have to comply with current building regulations and this will be checked before a completion certificate is accepted for the work.”
KJJ Properties Ltd has not responded to a request to comment.
