Isobel Singleton thought she had found her little piece of paradise when she purchased an onsite van at a caravan park in Lakes Entrance and has happily lived there for the past six-and-a-half years.
It is within walking distance of all the conveniences she needs and is set up as a permanent home with a bathroom, two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and room for her favourite past time, a garden.
Then she became aware of a planning application for three, two storey townhouses, with the third unit abutting the fence of her caravan park and overshadowing her home.
Isobel lodged an objection explaining she lives next to the proposed dwelling on a permanent basis and will be affected by the height of the building which will affect her privacy, view and block out light and sunshine.
When she lodged her objection she received a letter from the Statutory Planning Coordinator which stated, "You will be advised in due course of any opportunities to participate in discussions about the application, and your concerns and of any decision on the application."
"I didn't hear from them again until I received a letter from Statutory Planning stating that the application had been granted a permit for the proposed development," Isobel said.
"It stated that I could appeal, but the cost to take it to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal would be $899.95 and that I would need to hire a lawyer. 
"This is financially out of my league and I have been left feeling that I never got to have my say."

IMAGE: Isobel enjoying the sun in her well manicured garden, the plants and herself may not have this right if two story town houses go ahead.