A homeowner has triumphed over a property developer who has finally dismantled an illegal wall that blocked her view of the sea.

The 16ft by 6ft brick structure was put up 14 months ago next to a luxury flat development built in front of Liz Bates's coastal home in Bournemouth, Dorset.

The barrier provided privacy to a rooftop terrace attached to one of the flats.

However, it lacked planning permission and wiped an estimated £50,000 off the value of Ms Bates's property by obstructing her view.

She has fought to get it removed ever since.

Three months ago, a planning inspector determined the structure had a "harmful overbearing impact" on Ms Bates's home, saying that the terrace scale "far exceeded what could be reasonably described as modest".

But rather than demolishing it, developer Eddie Fitzsimmons submitted a fresh application replacing the bricks with an opaque glass screen.

Intended to prevent "mutual overlooking", the frosted glass would still keep the sea view hidden.

The local council unanimously rejected the plans, issuing a damning verdict on the developer.

Builders have now finally taken down the wall, leaving temporary scaffolding in its place.

One councillor said that the wall, which was erected in September 2025, "should have been knocked down 12 months ago".

Another pleaded with the developer to "let the residents have a bit of peace" instead of submitting yet another application to drag the process out more.

Ms Bates, 43, a property inspector, said she still could not bring herself to celebrate in case the developer came back with yet another application to reinstall some form of wall.

She said: "There had been scaffolding up for weeks but they started working on the wall just hours before this meeting.

"I want to say I'm really happy but I fear they will still come back in a couple of months (with another application)."

She previously said: "It's like hitting your head against a brick wall dealing with this developer.

"We have already endured a huge amount of stress and disruption as a result of what has happened at this site.

"It is so frustrating and tiring that I'm having to constantly fight this.

"You would think that when the planning inspector came down from Bristol and condemned it so forcefully that should have been the end of it."

Ms Bates is one of about 100 residents who have claimed their lives have been "ruined" by the development of four cliff-top apartment blocks of 27 flats in front of their homes in the affluent Southbourne area of Bournemouth, Dorset.

She argued that the 15sqm roof terrace would be big enough to stage large outdoor parties and the screen would do nothing to stop noise and smells drifting into her house.

In her letter of objection, Hannah Perrins-Hill said: "This developer... has already got away with a development that is a monstrosity.

"Large balconies and walls should not be allowed and should be removed."

In their latest application, Mr Fitzsimmons's Vivir Estate company said the shortened roof terrace would not be big enough to host parties.

They said that the glass screen would "not result in an overbearing impact" upon Ms Bates.

Chris Miell, of Pure Town Planning, who represented the developer, told the BCP Council planning committee: "The inspector's decision specified the roof terrace as it was previously proposed.

"It doesn't mean that any roof terrace is unacceptable at this site.

"It would not cause material harm to the living conditions of neighbouring properties and overcomes the planning inspector's concerns."

BCP Council's planning officer Piotr Kulik found the scheme was in keeping with the area and "will not have a materially harmful impact on neighbouring residents".

However, Cllr Michael Tarling said he was "loath" to approve the application, adding: "It is fairly disingenuous from the developer to start adding extra bits on to an application which was already contentious."

Cllr Patrick Canavan said: "How many times do we have to say ‘no please leave it alone, let the residents have a bit of peace and get on with their lives rather than constantly battling against this’."

Cllr Brian Hitchcock added: "The wall should have come down 12 months ago."

The two- and four-storey blocks in the main development are being built on a former council car park in front of 24 existing properties.

BCP Council put the Southbourne Crossroads Car Park site up for sale in 2017 when it was underused, but changed their minds and denied two planning applications for the site.

They were overruled after Vivir Estates launched an appeal and a planning inspector sided with them despite 1,500 locals objecting to the plans.