Neighbours unhappy with the construction of a more than 10m tall extension to a house in Waghorne St, Ahuriri are questioning the Napier City Council's consent process.
A group of 11 residents met with the council's senior town planner Paul O'Shaughnessy to air their grievances about the structure, which they believe is an "eyesore".
Among them was Judith Domney, who lives on a property next to the extension.
"It's really disappointing, it went up in a day. I went to work and when I came home there was just this bright blue box in the sky," she said.
"It has taken all the privacy away from my backyard, and the woman who owns the property behind has had all her sunlight blocked out."
Ms Domney said more Waghorne St neighbours should have been consulted before it was built, because of the height of the extension. "The fact that the council did not speak to us is a huge grievance."
But she didn't blame the owner of the house for doing what the council allowed him to do, as the District Plan states the height limit in Waghorne St is 11m.
Derek Strampel, who moved to Ahuriri from Melbourne with his family and brought a house in Kenny Ave, said the extension had ruined their outlook.
"Standing in front of our house is an 11m-high eyesore which does not conform to town planning regulations but was granted with non notified resource consent," Mr Strampel said in a letter to Mr O'Shaughnessy.
"We are all dumbfounded as to how this could happen.
"Your house is your castle, and to have this stuck in your face is just soul destroying."
While the limit has upset residents, Mr O'Shaughnessy said council did all they were required to do before allowing the extension to go ahead.
"The residents thought a lot more people should have been consulted on the matter, but we are satisfied we fulfilled our obligations."
Legally council only had to consult one neighbour to the side of the site where the extension was proposed.
"He required resource consent and only infringed on one neighbour in Ahuriri Lane, she was informed and she consented," he said.
"We have to make a determination as to who would be adversely affected, within the district plan framework, and she was it."
After meeting with upset residents, council sent an independent assessor to check the extension fell within the 11m height limit.
"That assessment came back and there were no breaches."
Mr O'Shaughnessy said the limit in Waghorne St was higher than other areas of Napier, so residents back from the beachfront could get sea views.
"Most of Napier has a limit of 8m, but this particular zone is higher to allow people to build up and get those views."
Residents could now take the matter to the High Court, or start a private plan change for the area to reduce the height control.
"It's not cheap and it's not a quick fix," he said.
The owner of the house could not be contacted for comment.
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