Council demolishes tiny secret home built illegally in north-west London garage

Demolished: The illegal house was bulldozed last month
Ealing Council
Laura Proto23 March 2016

A tiny secret house in north-west London was bulldozed after it was found to have been built illegally inside an outbuilding.

The hidden property, which had a kitchen and bathroom, was uncovered behind what appeared to be a garage door in July 2014.

Ealing Council officials were stunned to find the self-contained home in Beechwood Gardens, Park Royal, while doing a routine check of newly completed outbuildings in the borough.

The house did not have planning permission and the owner was served with an enforcement notice requiring them to remove the building.

Hidden: The home was found behind what appeared to be a garage door
Ealing Council

According to an Ealing Council spokesman, the homeowner subsequently submitted a planning application in September 2015, which was later refused.

He added that after a final warning, the council’s demolition contractor was brought in to remove the illegal building because the owner failed to comply with the enforcement notice.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for safety, culture and community services, said: “Planning regulations are in place to protect our residents and communities and it is unlawful to build a self-contained house without planning permission.

Stunned: Council officials uncovered the home during a routine check
Ealing Council

“We will take robust action against property owners who seek to outwit the planning system by concealing their activities.

“This outbuilding was illegally constructed and rightly demolished, and the owner will pay the cost for deliberately flouting the law.”

The council demolished the tiny home on February 22 and the owner will be sent a bill for the cost of the works.

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