I'm still in shock. Absolute bloody shock. Six months away from home to welcome our new grandbaby into the world, and we return to... this nightmare. Two-storey houses literally casting shadows over our once-peaceful bungalow. Who approved this monstrosity?
The day everything changed
Martine Le Barth, 75, and her husband have lived in their South Molton home since 1992. That's over 30 years in what was once their dream retirement spot in Devon. Now? They can't even hang laundry outside without feeling like they're on display in some twisted fishbowl experiment.
"Flabbergasted doesn't begin to describe it," Martine told me, her hands trembling slightly as she pointed toward her bedroom window. "Those people can see right into our bedroom. Our BEDROOM!"
I couldn't help but wince. Who wants strangers peering into their most private spaces?
Promises made, promises shattered
The couple swears they were assured back in the day that the land behind their bungalow would remain undeveloped. Fast forward to 2021, and apparently North Devon Council approved plans for Tilia Homes' Cashmere Park development while the Le Barths were none the wiser.
129 houses. Not a typo. One hundred and twenty-nine new homes, with people moving about, looking down into teh Le Barths' once-private garden, bedroom, and study.
Sleepless in South Molton
The mental toll has been devastating.
"Over three nights I must have managed to sleep 6 or 7 hours at the most," Martine explained, dark circles evident beneath her eyes. "It is bad. Really bad."
Initially, it was the 7am construction noise jolting them awake. Now it's the anxiety of knowing strangers can watch their every move that keeps them up at night.
Where was our say in all this?
Here's where things get murky... and infuriating. Martine claims they never received proper notification about the development plans. "They sent us the wrong plan originally which was for another development," she explained, frustration evident in her voice.
Apparently there was a consultation in summer 2021, but according to Martine, "no one was told about it." The meeting minutes note that no neighbors attended. Well, duh! How can you attend something you don't know exists?
God. The bureaucratic incompetence is staggering.
From dream home to nightmare
The Le Barths' home has transformed from "the most desirable to the least desirable" virtually overnight. Beyond the privacy concerns, there are practical issues too. The western-facing new builds block crucial sunlight.
"I can't put my washing to dry on the line anymore," Martine sighed. Such a small thing that represents so much more—the loss of simple pleasures, of normalcy.
Their grandchildren visited for three weeks recently. "When it is sunny we eat in the garden," she explained. "Those people will see us directly." Family meals now come with an unwanted audience.
Falling on deaf ears?
The couple has made what seems like a reasonable request: frosted windows on the homes overlooking their property. Simple solution, right?
Wrong.
"Our request for frosted windows has been ignored," Martine said, the defeat in her voice palpable.
Moving isn't really an option at their age. They're stuck watching their property value plummet while their quality of life goes down with it.
The corporate response
Tilia Homes offered the standard corporate line about being a "considerate developer" committed to "minimising disruption." They highlighted the development's benefits: 20% affordable housing, two acres of public space, and £1.4 million in community contributions.
None of which helps the Le Barths sleep at night or regain their privacy.
The company insists construction happens only during approved hours (8am-6pm weekdays, 9am-1pm Saturdays) and says they'll contact the couple directly. We'll see if anything comes of that...
What happens now?
North Devon Council acknowledged the situation is "currently being dealt with through our feedback and complaints procedure." Translation: bureaucratic limbo.
Meanwhile, Martine and her husband continue living in the shadow—literally—of a development that's destroyed their peace, privacy, and property value.
Their story feels like a warning. You think you've found your forever home, you think you're safe... and then one day you come back from holiday to find your world has changed completely.
Just like that.
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