My neighbour has built a nightclub in their garden - it is a nightmare

A 'garden nightclub' which hosted 'drinking sessions' and karaoke has been at the centre of a bitter planning row with locals after it was built without planning permission.

Tracy and Darren Day, who own the property where the shed-like structure has been built, have been accused of being so noisy that they left an eldery neighbour in tears as he tried to care for his dying wife.

Preston City Council's planning committee heard that the structure was built without planning permission last year.

The planning row intensified after a councillor claimed adverts for the 'party room' on Glenview Close in Ribbleton, Lancashire appeared on social media.

A photograph from the party shed shows a group of locals drinking inside the structure which features a bar with optics and a purpose built fridge.

Cllr Pat Varty, who lives a few doors down from the property, told the committee meeting: 'It's used for entertainment purposes… there is a built-in bar, a built-in fridge – and it's like a drinking session all the time. [There is] a karaoke machine in the garden.

'Of course we want people to go in their garden and socialise – what we're asking for is a bit of respect and [to] remember that we're in a residential area.'

Cllr Jonathan Saksena branded the structure at 'garden nightclub.' He said the local authority could not give 'carte blanch' for 'night time revelry.'

Cllr John Rutter suggested imposing a booze ban at the residential venue. 

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The planning committee heard that around 15 locals were unhappy with the structure, although the owners of the shed did not attend the meeting.

Speaking to MailOnline Cllr Varty said: 'I was disappointed the recent committee meeting did not hear of any environmental concerns.

'I felt so sorry for the elderly gentleman who lives next door. His partner was dying of cancer while all this was going on. He was reduced to tears.'

The elderly neighbour was too upset to speak when approached by MailOnline. He said his partner had recently died and just shook his head when asked about the shed next door.

A planning statement submitted to the meeting read: 'The playroom cannot be considered to be harmful to the amenity of any neighbouring residents in terms of light, privacy, outlook, noise or disturbance.'

The council report then continues: 'With reference to the last two factors, there is demonstrable proof to the contrary, noise and disturbance issues have been logged with Environmental Health.'

The planning committee considered an application by the owners for retrospective planning permission, meaning the barn could stay standing.

The council report concluded: 'Representations have been received relating to the development which have been addressed above and taken into consideration. The development has been assessed in terms of its impact on visual amenity and the character of the area, residential amenity, and highway safety and parking provision.

'No harm has been identified that would justify a refusal of the application. The proposal complies with the relevant provisions of the Central Lancashire Core Strategy and the Preston Local Plan and there are no material considerations which outweigh this finding. In accordance with Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the application is approved.'

A Preston City Council spokesperson, said: 'Our Environmental Health team received a request for service relating to this address earlier this year from neighbouring residents living in the area. 

'A warning letter was sent to the property owners during May, and the details for our night noise service was communicated to the neighbouring residents.

'We received one call to this service in June, however the officer on call was unable to witness a statutory noise nuisance.

'Due to the frequency of the parties and loud music we have been unable to establish a statutory noise nuisance, and as there were no further calls to the service about this location for over a month following the initial call, the noise complaint was closed at the end of July.

'The residents still have access to the night noise service and can contact the duty officer again to visit if there are any further concerns.'

The Mail approached the Days for comment.