A woman is furious after she found out that a car park which has caused “absolute hell” may not have permission.

Sandra Johnson, who lives in Falconer Road, Bushey, says her life has been “ruined” for the past two years by the gravel car park next door to her house.

It is used by staff and customers at nearby Blythwood vets in High Road, Bushey.

She said: “It’s been absolute hell ever since the vets turned a residential garden into what is now a car park.

“There has been noise, pollution, and I believe infringements on my human rights. It’s kept me awake at night because the area is used out of hours as well.

“I feel it is a violation of my privacy and entitlement to enjoy my home.”

Watford Observer:

However, her outrage has intensified after finding out that Blythwood may not have full planning permission to use the space as a car park.

Blythwood owns the vets, as well as two houses in High Street, numbers 4 and 6. These were used as one larger house by a couple, but when Blythwood bought the house, it converted it back into two properties.

Since Blythwood purchased the properties, Ms Johnson says that much of the garden space, which belonged to 4 and 6, is now used for car parking.

The previous owners used a driveway and garage next door to Ms Johnson’s house in Falconer Road. The garage remains but Blythwood has knocked down the fence to create a larger space.

Watford Observer:

This is what the site used to look like. The fence has since been knocked down

Blythwood says the land on the other side of the fence has always been used as a car park but Ms Johnson said the space only provided room for one car.

She contacted Hertsmere Borough Council because she believed that the space had been turned from residential property into commercial land without planning permission.

Two council officers have since visited the vets. The officers recommended that Blythwood apply for a certificate of lawful use.

If granted, this guarantees that use is permitted for planning purposes.

An enforcement notice may be served if a certificate for lawful use is not granted.

Since the council’s visit, Blythwood has submitted an application for a certificate of lawful use of the car park and they must now wait to see if it is approved by council planning officers.

A spokeswoman for Blythwood vets said: “We have done what the council has recommended us to do and we will wait to see its decision. We believe the car park has been in use for more than 20 years.”