Planners have approved a couple’s “towering” bungalow extension that has “shocked” their neighbours.

Mr and Mrs Kumar’s vision to add a first floor on top of the existing single storey bungalow at 4 Denmead Close, Gerrards Cross was approved by Buckinghamshire Council’s planning committee.

Local councillors had previously called in the application, including Cllr Andrew Wood, who said the new house would “overwhelm” other bungalows on the street.

The new mansion will feature six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a jacuzzi bath, walk-in wardrobes and a wine display area.

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A neighbour told the committee: “The residents of the nine properties in Denmead Close, Oxford Road and Manor Lane, who are going to be significantly impacted by this application, are shocked and disappointed that the officer recommendation is to approve it.”

She explained that Gerrards Cross “already has a huge number of very large, detached properties” and that the proposal “removes yet another” bungalow from the area.

The resident added: “It will tower over the other four bungalows, destroying the character of the close.”

A planning officer reminded the committee that things like the number of bedrooms, or the size of the property alone would not constitute valid reasons for the refusal of planning permission.

He said councillors needed to show that the proposal, design and scale of the building was out of character with the area or would cause harm to the character of the area.

Cllr Neil Marshall backed the development, which he claimed was “tucked in the corner” of the street, was not in a prominent position and was unlikely to impact neighbouring properties.