Woman told to demolish extension built in 2011

Calling it the “worst Christmas present ever,” a woman has been ordered to demolish her extension by France’s highest appeal court because it blocks the sun from her neighbour.

The move comes despite Sarah Rebaï having gained planning permission for the two-storey 135m2 extension in Essey-lès-Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle. She aimed to offer rooms for rent.

But her neighbour started legal action in 2011 as the extension shaded her single-storey house.

A court ordered Ms Rebaï to demolish it by February, 2016 and to pay €50 a day to the neighbour for each day she did not do so.

Now, after appealing to the Cour de Cassation she has exhausted her final appeal in France. She told France Bleu radio she did not know what to do now as she faced €12,000 in lawyer’s bills and has still to pay the €178,000 mortgage on the extension.