Homeowner ordered to demolish “monster mansion” he built without planning permission
- 10 months ago
A homeowner has been ordered to demolish a "monster mansion" he built without planning permission - following a three year dispute with his neighbours.
Gurwinder Singh bulldozed his modest semi-detached house and replaced it with four-bedroom property which made his neighbours’ lives “hell”.
Locals in Willenhall, West Mids. described is as being "like a Travelodge in the middle of a housing estate" while others branded it a "monstrosity" and "an eyesore."
Last year, Walsall Council slapped Mr Singh with an enforcement notice ordering him to tear the building down following complaints from residents.
Mr Singh appealed to the Planning Inspectorate but the local authority has now dismissed the appeal and upheld the original enforcement notice.
Neighbours say they hope the row can finally be resolved after three years of trying to get the house on the corner of Sandringham Avenue and Arundel Road torn down.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We'll believe it when we see it as this has been going on for far too long.
"It sticks out like a sore thumb, I'm not sure how they thought they would ever get away with doing this.
"I saw it described as like having a Travelodge in the middle of a housing estate, and I think that sums it up. It's just so out of place and a real eyesore.
"We've all rallied together to object to this, so hopefully this is now the end of the saga and that monstrosity can be pulled down for good."
Another previously said: "I think it's right that he should tear it down.
“Why should you anyone get away with breaking the rules. The house is bloody huge and looks like a horrible monster mansion.
“None of the other houses in this area are that big, what on earth was he thinking?”
A third added: "When the house started going up I heard the next door neighbour whose house is attached could actually see the cracks coming through their walls.
"I'm glad the council have nipped it in the bud now before it's finished. It was at least three times the size of the original house. It looks like a sports hall."
Mr Singh had planning permission for a modest extension to the 1960s house in 2020 but he went one step further and demolished the entire building.
It is thought the brand new house would have cost in the region of £200,000 to build – and would have been the biggest property in the area.
In a decision notice, inspector Andrew McGlone said: "The appellant claims that the works which have taken place on site accord with the planning permission granted by the council on May 17, 2021 (“the 2021 permission”) for a two-storey side extension and single-storey front extension for a front porch and bay window.
Gurwinder Singh bulldozed his modest semi-detached house and replaced it with four-bedroom property which made his neighbours’ lives “hell”.
Locals in Willenhall, West Mids. described is as being "like a Travelodge in the middle of a housing estate" while others branded it a "monstrosity" and "an eyesore."
Last year, Walsall Council slapped Mr Singh with an enforcement notice ordering him to tear the building down following complaints from residents.
Mr Singh appealed to the Planning Inspectorate but the local authority has now dismissed the appeal and upheld the original enforcement notice.
Neighbours say they hope the row can finally be resolved after three years of trying to get the house on the corner of Sandringham Avenue and Arundel Road torn down.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We'll believe it when we see it as this has been going on for far too long.
"It sticks out like a sore thumb, I'm not sure how they thought they would ever get away with doing this.
"I saw it described as like having a Travelodge in the middle of a housing estate, and I think that sums it up. It's just so out of place and a real eyesore.
"We've all rallied together to object to this, so hopefully this is now the end of the saga and that monstrosity can be pulled down for good."
Another previously said: "I think it's right that he should tear it down.
“Why should you anyone get away with breaking the rules. The house is bloody huge and looks like a horrible monster mansion.
“None of the other houses in this area are that big, what on earth was he thinking?”
A third added: "When the house started going up I heard the next door neighbour whose house is attached could actually see the cracks coming through their walls.
"I'm glad the council have nipped it in the bud now before it's finished. It was at least three times the size of the original house. It looks like a sports hall."
Mr Singh had planning permission for a modest extension to the 1960s house in 2020 but he went one step further and demolished the entire building.
It is thought the brand new house would have cost in the region of £200,000 to build – and would have been the biggest property in the area.
In a decision notice, inspector Andrew McGlone said: "The appellant claims that the works which have taken place on site accord with the planning permission granted by the council on May 17, 2021 (“the 2021 permission”) for a two-storey side extension and single-storey front extension for a front porch and bay window.