A South Shields couple have been ordered to remove CCTV cameras from their property after 12 years following complaints from neighbours about “privacy concerns”.
Steve Cavener and wife Melanie Diamond-Cavener installed the cameras outside their flat on Green’s Place in 2013 after attempts were made to steal Steven’s work van.
But now, their housing association, Home Group, has demanded the removal of the cameras after other residents raised concerns about their privacy.
Home Group requested the CCTV be removed last year, saying the U-shaped layout of Green’s Place makes it impossible to install cameras without compromising residents’ privacy.
Home Group has demanded the removal of the cameras after other residents raised concerns about their privacy (file photo)
PA
But the couple maintain that their cameras are mounted on a wall and only record Steve’s van – while there are not any residential windows on the other sides of the ‘U-shape’.
After receiving the initial removal request, the Caveners applied for retrospective planning permission, which was granted in August 2024.
Home Group later claimed this approval was a mistake made by a new staff member.
In December 2024, the couple were warned of potential court action if they failed to remove the cameras.
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Home Group claims the ‘U-shaped layout’ of Green’s Place makes it impossible to install cameras without compromising privacy
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Speaking to ChronicleLive, Steven said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. It’s putting my business vehicle at risk because it’s already almost been stolen twice.”
“The cameras give security to the residents and they all feel safer because the cameras are there,” he added.
Another resident, Andrea Cunningham, who had previously removed her own CCTV cameras after similar demands from Home Group, said they were “not invading privacy or looking in anyone’s house.”
Andy Hayes, senior operations manager at Home Group, explained: “We were contacted by customers at Greens Place informing us that CCTV cameras had been installed at the property and they had concerns regarding their privacy.”
Home Group is set to hold a consultation with residents about installing its own CCTV system at the site
“Generally, we do allow CCTV to be installed but they must conform to our alterations policy. Due to layout of the Greens Place properties, we had to refuse permission as it is not possible to install cameras in a way that will adequately respect the privacy of other customers,” he said.
“We apologised for the initial error, but we must respect the privacy of our customers,” Hayes added.
Home Group confirmed they are also requesting residents to remove Ring Doorbells from their properties.
The housing association has announced plans to hold a formal consultation with Green’s Place residents in the coming weeks, specifically discussing the possibility of Home Group installing its own CCTV system at the site.