Mr Xuhua Chen, of Hunters Grove, Hayes was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay the council's legal costs of £1885.95 for failing to demolish an illegal outbuilding in his back garden at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court.

He pleaded guilty to an offence of failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice requiring him to demolish the outbuilding.

The council has advised him that if the outbuilding is not demolished direct action will be considered, which means the council may take it upon themselves to do the work and recover the costs.

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The council's planning and housing departments have also taken swift action against the owner of a property in Wheatley Crescent, Hayes. An emergency prohibition notice and planning enforcement notice have been served on Mr Gurial Singh, ordering him to stop anyone from living in the outbuilding and to remove all internal facilities to prevent it being used as a 'bed in a shed'. Until recently it had been occupied and was in extremely poor condition.

Councillor Keith Burrows, Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling, said: "Some of the conditions that our officers have seen beggar belief, it's outrageous that some of these rogue landlords are lining their pockets and allowing others to live in squalor. It's totally irresponsible and above all it's illegal."

(CD/GK)