Neighbours Complain About Towering Illegal Mega Garage Built by Daniel Toma That Has Upended Life in Borehamwood Hertfordshire

A quiet suburban street in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, has become the unlikely center of a planning row after a local homeowner built a colossal garage that neighbours say has turned their lives upside down.

The structure, erected by 41-year-old Daniel Toma, has been described as a fortress-like monolith, dwarfing nearby homes and hedges.

“I Will Not Remove It”: The Homeowner Speaks

Daniel Toma, a private ambulance driver and Romanian businessman, insists the huge garage is essential for storing his ambulances.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he confidently declared: “I will not remove it. People in the area do not have a problem with it.”

The garage, standing 3.4 metres tall and more than seven metres wide, has electric gates and fencing, giving it a commanding presence that some locals feel is completely out of place in a suburban neighborhood.

Furious Neighbours Share Their Stories

The reaction on the street tells a very different story.

Peter Loughlin, 74, who has lived in his home for three decades, said the garage has completely ruined his view.

“It’s an absolute disgrace. I cannot see out of my window properly. If I sit in my chair and look out, I see a great big green compound. It’s horrible,” he said.

Loughlin also worries that the garage has devalued his £350,000 home and is determined to see it removed.

Another resident, Bermet Amanaeva, 40, described the garage as “a nightmare” since she moved in 2015.

She highlighted safety concerns, pointing out that vehicles drive over a nearby zebra crossing to enter the garage.

“It’s dangerous. They just do what they like. It makes me so angry,” she said.

Even immediate neighbours are frustrated.

Martin Suiter, 44, explained that the garage appeared seemingly overnight, and repeated objections have fallen on deaf ears.

“If everyone was allowed to do that, how would the streets look? It’d be a free-for-all,” he said.

Council Steps In, Enforcement Orders Issued

Hertsmere Council initially refused retrospective planning permission for the structure.

When Toma refused to comply, the council launched enforcement action, ordering the garage to be demolished.

The Planning Inspectorate later upheld this decision, questioning the necessity of such a large garage for a family home.

The Inspectorate’s report emphasized that the size and design were “disproportionate” to the property and incompatible with the surrounding streetscape.

The Garage’s Role in Toma’s Ambulance Business

Toma’s garage is linked to his private ambulance operations, which include transporting mental health patients, vulnerable young people, and court appearances.

While he insists the building is vital for his business, neighbours argue that the scale and appearance are excessive, transforming a once-peaceful street into an eyesore.

Legal and Community Tensions Escalate

The dispute has brought wider attention to how private projects can clash with public interests.

Locals fear that allowing such a structure to remain could set a precedent for similar oversized builds in suburban areas.

Complaints about aesthetics, safety, and property value have all contributed to mounting frustration among Borehamwood residents.

What’s Next?

At this stage, the ball is in Toma’s court.

If he continues to defy the Planning Inspectorate and Hertsmere Council’s orders, legal action could escalate, potentially resulting in fines or even forced demolition.

Residents remain vigilant, ready to ensure that the council’s decision is enforced.

Meanwhile, the story has sparked discussions about planning regulations, community rights, and the balance between private enterprise and neighbourhood harmony.

Summary

Daniel Toma’s massive, unauthorised garage in Borehamwood has ignited tension among neighbours, who say it has destroyed their views, lowered property values, and created safety concerns.

Despite council orders to demolish the structure, Toma insists he needs it for his ambulance business.

The Planning Inspectorate has backed the council’s enforcement decision, leaving the homeowner with limited options.

Local residents remain frustrated and determined to see the monolithic garage removed, highlighting broader questions about planning law and suburban living.