Not local news, but this one has been doing the rounds in the town planning world. A homeowner in Essex has been ordered by the High Court to demolish or alter parts of his house that he built without planning permission.
The homeowner, purchased a house in Buckhurst Hill in 1996. In 2015, he applied for planning permission to make some small changes to the house, but he then went ahead and built a much larger extension without getting approval.
Epping Forest District Council issued an enforcement notice requiring the owner to demolish the unauthorised works, but he did not comply. The council then took him to court, and the judge has now granted an injunction ordering him to make the necessary changes.
The owner has also been ordered to pay the council's costs of £23,969.
Key takeaways:
It is important to get planning permission before carrying out any works to your property.
If you do not comply with an enforcement notice, the council can take you to court.
You may be ordered to pay the council's costs if you breach planning control.