HOUNSLOW COUNCIL has welcomed a court ruling which fined a local property owner who had illegally constructed extensions at his property.

Ijaz Khan, of Dene Avenue, was found guilty and received fines totally £6,000 – a fine of £819, a victim surcharge of £181 and court costs of £5,000.

In 2016, Council staff visited the property where Mr Khan had constructed a roof extension, a rear roof extension and a single storey extension.

He later attempted to regularise the developments by way of a planning application which was refused.

In 2017 the Council served an Enforcement Notice requiring Mr Khan to demolish the extensions.

He appealed the notice but that was rejected as well.

After a series of further planning applications which were also refused, Mr Khan demolished the extensions and the Council closed the case.

In 2019 however, it was discovered that the extensions had been rebuilt once again, without planning approval nor having complied with permitted development legislation.

As a consequence, the Council initiated action and the court found Mr Khan guilty.

Leader of Hounslow Council, Steve Curran, said: "Enforcement of planning and development legislation isn't always the most newsworthy of topics, but it is often an important way that Councils can maintain quality of residents' lives and the quality of our built environment.

"Although government legislation does give homeowners the ability to do some building works without planning permission, homeowners should ensure that they get proper advice before undertaking building works to their homes.

"As we have shown here, we take these matters very seriously as a Council, and will always seek to protect residents, and to make sure that the law is properly followed.

"This is excellent work by our officers and a welcome decision by the court that should serve as a notice to others tempted to behave in this unlawful way.

"We will do the right thing, and we will win".