Uxbridge man fined for basing digger hire company out of rented house
Tuesday 11 April 2023: An Uxbridge man has been ordered to pay more than £2,600 after ignoring two planning enforcement notices served after he illegally built a single-story extension at the home he rented in Cowley Road.
The court was told the charges related to the home Singh rented at 298 Cowley Road, where officers from Hillingdon Council's planning enforcement team were called into action following a complaint in October 2020 that diggers and storage equipment were being stored at the address.
Council planning officers visited the site unannounced that month and found diggers and signage relating to a digger hire company. The court was told a further inspection a month later found a single-storey rear extension had been constructed without planning permission.
On 9 February 2021 two planning enforcement notices were served, requiring removal of the extension and the diggers and associated construction material. An appeal against the notices was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate on 27 July 2021 - giving three months to comply.
The court heard a subsequent visit by the council in April 2022 revealed neither notice had been complied with.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "This is yet another excellent result that shows residents we're on their side when it comes to upholding planning regulations.
"These rules apply to everyone without exception and are what help us to create safer, strong communities."
Singh was ordered to pay a fine of £923 for each offence, a victim surcharge of £185 and the council's prosecution costs of £600. A collection order was made for the funds.
Charges against two co-defendants were dropped.
The council will continue to monitor Singh's compliance with the enforcement notice requiring demolition of the unauthorised extension, and if the development isn't removed further prosecution proceedings or direct action will be considered.