Construction worker incurs £3,000 penalty for persistently disregarding demolition directive issued 13 years ago regarding unauthorized extension
In the city of Bradford, a long-standing dispute between a local builder, Mohammed Azhar, and the local authorities has finally come to an end. After nearly a decade of legal pressure, Azhar has begun the demolition of an illegal extension he built on his property on Intake Road in 2011.
The saga began in 2011 when Azhar, a 57-year-old builder, constructed a single-storey brick structure without planning permission. A retrospective planning application was submitted and refused in January 2013. Despite numerous notices, court hearings, and fines, it took years of legal pressure before demolition work commenced in late March 2023.
Andrew Stranex, the prosecutor for Bradford Council, stated that over the years, contact was made with Azhar numerous times, but there was no compliance. The council ordered the extension to be removed in March 2012, and it was finally demolished in late March 2023, marking nearly 11 years since the original enforcement notice was issued.
Azhar's defense was tied to a personal family matter, as he built the extension to house a downstairs toilet for his elderly parents who struggled with mobility issues. However, his parents have since passed away, but he continued to retain the extension for his own use due to his own health problems.
Despite repeated attempts by Bradford Council to contact Azhar, there was no compliance, leading to a decision to prosecute him in 2022. Azhar promised to have the extension demolished within three months after the court hearing, but this never happened.
The court imposed a £3,000 fine on Azhar for failing to comply with the enforcement notice and ordered him to pay an additional £200 surcharge. The judge stated that it is regrettable that it took so long for Azhar to start the demolition of the extension.
Azhar's lawyer, Jabran Hussain, argued that Azhar now understands the importance of complying with the enforcement notice and plans to submit a new application to build something the council will be happy with. The timeline for legal action after building an extension without planning permission can vary significantly, but homeowners could face enforcement action and potential legal proceedings that can extend over several months or years.
This case serves as a reminder for homeowners to always obtain planning permission before starting construction projects, and for authorities to persist in enforcing building regulations to maintain the integrity of the city's built environment.
- Mohammed Azhar, the local builder in question, is now planning to build something that the council will approve, according to his lawyer, Jabran Hussain.
- In light of the lengthy dispute, it's essential for homeowners to invest time in obtaining planning permission before initiating construction projects to avoid similar scenarios.
- The financial implications of building an extension without permission can be substantial, as evidenced by the £3,000 fine imposed on Azhar and the additional £200 surcharge.
- The real-estate market in Bradford, and indeed elsewhere, relies on maintaining the design integrity of properties, making it crucial for builders to adhere to planning regulations.
