A metal canopy extension that had been added without planning permission to a property on Stone Lane, Millfield, has been knocked down by Peterborough City Council.

The council's planning enforcement team took the direct action after an enforcement notice served in 2010 was ignored by the owner and occupiers of the building.

Local residents had complained to the council about the yard and garages of the property being used for a car repair business - something for which the owner did not have permission. A metal protective canopy had been built which allowed repairs to be carried out in all weathers.

Two enforcement notices were served on the owner of the property in June 2010. One stipulated that the unauthorised use of the yard for a business must stop and the other that the canopy be removed by October 2010.

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The canopy was not removed. Planning enforcement officers had written to the property's owner, warning that if the canopy was not demolished by 17 February 2011, direct action would be taken under section 178 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

An entry warrant was obtained by the city council and used to gain access to the property when the tenant refused entry on Tuesday. The canopy was still in place so officers from the council's city services team knocked down the structure and removed the materials from the site.

Councillor Peter Hiller, the city council's cabinet member for housing, neighbourhoods and planning, said: "This case serves as a warning to homeowners and landlords in the city that if they don't apply for planning permission when making this type of modification to a property then the council has the power to step in and take action.

"Our planning policies apply to everybody and we won't hesitate to crack down on unauthorised works when necessary.

"Although we have previously used the powers available to us under section 178 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, this is the first time that we have used them to remove this type of structure. If necessary, we will use them for this purpose again.

"The materials that were removed from the site will be re-used where possible and we are looking to sell any that we can to recoup some of the costs of knocking this structure down."

(CD/GK)