Owners Slammed in Court Over Huge Illegal Extension
The owners of 40 Cranmer Road have lost a big legal battle to keep their oversized extension. Last week, at the Royal Courts of Justice, their appeal against a planning notice from Hillingdon Council was smashed.
Missed Deadlines and Failed Appeals
The court heard the owners ignored the council’s enforcement notice served in March 2022 until May—well after the appeal window closed at the end of April. Instead of appealing on time, they tried to take the council to judicial review. But since the council followed all rules and the owners hung about doing nothing, the judge backed the council all the way.
Extension Nearly Double the Approved Size
- In 2018, the owners got permission for a modest single-storey rear extension of four metres.
- By 2020, council inspectors spotted building work far bigger than approved.
- The illegal extension measures around nine metres long and 4.5 metres wide — too big for ‘permitted development rights’ loopholes.
Council Wins Full Costs, Owners Face Tough Deadline
The judge ruled the council acted reasonably and dismissed the owners’ claims. The council was awarded £6,492 in costs. The owners must remove the extension by 8 March 2023 or face further action.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents Services, said: “This is an excellent result for the council. The judge confirmed we acted completely reasonably and lawfully. The owners had plenty of time to do the right thing but didn’t.”
“Now it’s cost them dearly – both in money and losing the extension. Planning rules exist to protect local communities from over-building and everyone must follow them. This is a clear warning: we’ll crack down on anyone who tries to flout the rules.”
