Ealing Council has demolished an unauthorised building in Southall after its owner failed to comply with enforcement notice to remove it.

The structure was developed at the rear of a proposed care home facility on Beresford Road, which was granted planning permission in 2012.

Proposals included developing the main structure with a detached, single-storey building at the rear, containing additional facilities and wardens' residential unit.

However, a site inspection by council officers during construction found the detached building had not been built as specified in the approved plans, causing significant harm to neighbouring residents and properties.

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An enforcement notice was served to the owner in September 2013, which required the building to be removed by the end of April 2014.

While the council offered advice to help address the issue, including reapplying for planning permission, the developer failed to do so and ignored the notice to remove the structure.

After further warnings were ignored, the council demolished the building on the 16 and 17 March.

Ealing Council said the owner will be sent a bill for the cost of the works. If this is not settled, a charge will be placed on the property which will incur interest until the outstanding money is paid in full.

Pat Hayes, the council's executive director for regeneration and housing, said added planning laws exist to "protect communities and stop unauthorised structures being put up indiscriminately".

"If necessary the council will use these powers to take strong action and demolish buildings that do not comply with approved plans.

"The owner of this building was given every opportunity to find an alternative solution that would have been acceptable in planning terms. Failure to do so has resulted in the building being demolished by the council and the owner paying the cost for flouting the law."

(LM/MH)