Agenda item

7.1

The Director of Regeneration and Development Services submitted a report informing Members of a breach of the Planning Regulations in respect of an unauthorised extension of rear garden into green belt land at 34 Leebrook Avenue and making recommendations on any further action required.

7.2

The report stated that complaints had been received about the unauthorised extension of garden curtilage into green belt land. At the initial site visit it was observed that the rear garden had been extended 4 metres across its width into Green Belt woodland and a wooden means of enclosure of 2 metres high had been erected. Inside the enclosure, garden landscaping had taken place and a patio and a summer house had been installed.

7.3

A letter was sent to the householder informing him that this was a breach of planning control and was unacceptable. He was advised to remove the means of enclosure and return the land back to its previous condition within 28 days. A letter was also sent to the landowners of the land where encroachment had taken place.

7.4

A site meeting was held with the householder and he showed officers where he had started to remove the patio from the encroached area and asked for a time extension. It was agreed a further six weeks would be allowed – to Friday 10 July 2015 – to allow the fence to be removed and the land returned to its previous condition. This was confirmed in a letter to the householder.

7.5

A site visit on 21 July 2015 confirmed that the means of enclosure and outbuilding was still in place. A reminder letter was sent out. To date, no attempt had been made to remove the enclosure and return the land to its previous condition and it is still being used as an extension to the garden.

7.6

RESOLVED: That (a) the Director of Regeneration and Development Services or Head of Planning be authorised to take any appropriate action including, if necessary, enforcement action and the institution of legal proceedings to secure the removal of the unauthorised curtilage extension at 34 Leebrook Avenue; and

(b) the Head of Planning, in liaison with a Co-Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the action in order to achieve the objectives hereby confirmed, including taking action to resolve any associated breaches of planning control.