Developer says protesters are all jealous

2:00pm Thursday 6th March 2008

A DEVELOPER who specialises in buying properties and building additional homes on the existing land is causing upset in a Trowbridge neighbourhood.

Kathy Miller, a former Bowyer's factory worker, is a private property developer who owns a number of houses and flats in Trowbridge and the surrounding towns.

She currently lives with her partner and daughter in Crawley Crescent, Trowbridge, and operates under the business name KCM Development Ltd, which was at the centre of a row over a proposed development of car-free flats at 42 and 44 Station Road, Westbury.

Ms Miller operates within West Wiltshire District Council's planning rules and regulations but has attracted criticism from neighbours because of her methods.

One of her most recent projects, in Bridge Avenue, Trowbridge, has upset neighbours, but she attributes the criticism to jealousy.

Ms Miller bought the five-bedroom property and hired local builders to alter it inside, converting it into two houses.

She does not have planning permission to carry out the work and has even installed a side door leading directly onto the pavement.

Ms Miller insists she does not need planning permission because the building is not occupied and the planning enforcement officers at the district council who have visited the site agree with her.

They have not found any irregularities in the work.

She freely admits her plans for the property involve turning it into two homes, telling the Wiltshire Times: "I will rent them out to anyone who will fill them, whether that be private tenants, economic migrants or social housing families."

People who live in the street are angry as they feel the relative peace and co-operation that existed between neighbours for 20 years is now being trampled on.

Neighbour Michael Banks said: "Our concerns do not seem to bother her. In my opinion she doesn't have any respect for anyone."

Sarah Cleary said: "I don't have a problem with what she is doing. People have to live somewhere. I do have a problem with the way she goes about her business, totally disregarding the thoughts and feelings of the people in the neighbourhoods she destroys." Stewart Young added: "It doesn't matter what we say or do she goes against our wishes anyway."

Sue Morgan, said: "There is a basic lack of respect for other people."

Jason Player said: "I don't see why we have planning laws when people like Ms Miller can manipulate them to their advantage."

Angela Young said: "There seems to be one rule for one and one for everyone else."

In response to her critics Ms Miller said: "I'm not doing anything illegal. I employ local tradesman, provide housing for people who wouldn't otherwise have it and these people are just jealous of me as a successful female property developer."