A father in Slough faces the potential demolition of a £250,000 house extension after a planning inspector discovered it exceeded permitted dimensions. The council rejected his retrospective application, citing design concerns and a lack of respect for the local architectural character. The father argues that the council is unfairly targeting him while overlooking larger developers' transgressions.
A father is locked in a battle with his local council after investing £250,000 in an illegal house extension. Varun Sharma, 41, constructed a first-floor extension and a wrap-around 'spice kitchen' at his Slough property last April. He had secured planning permission from Slough Borough Council initially. However, his dream renovation turned into a nightmare after a planning inspector, visiting a neighboring property, noticed the extension slightly exceeded the approved dimensions.
Sharma was instructed to submit a retrospective application with the amended sizes. Despite his efforts, the council rejected the revised plans, leaving him facing the daunting prospect of demolishing substantial parts of his family home. Sharma, his wife Shivani, 41, and their two young children reside in the property. With a three-month window to challenge the decision, the IT consultant vows to fight for his home. He plans to engage experts to present his case and believes the council's actions are unfairly targeted.Sharma placed the blame on his builders for the oversight, stating that he had provided the plans but was unaware of the size discrepancy. He insists the house is aesthetically pleasing and does not negatively impact the neighborhood. He highlights a perceived double standard, citing instances of larger developers receiving leniency for exceeding permitted building sizes, while individuals like him are scrutinized. Sharma expresses frustration over the council's focus on his project while neglecting essential services for which residents pay substantial council taxes.The council's justification for rejecting the application cites the extension's design and appearance as detracting from the original building's character. They criticize the shift from brickwork to a smooth white exterior, claiming it disrespects the local architectural distinctiveness. Furthermore, they argue that the house introduces 'harsh alien features' that disrupt the pleasant streetscape of Marlborough Road in Slough. Despite these concerns, Sharma maintains that the design is well-executed and that the house does not feature any jarring elements. He emphasizes the high-quality materials used in the construction and expresses dismay over the stress and uncertainty the situation has caused, particularly impacting his mental health and his family's well-being. The ongoing dispute threatens to extend into the year's end, leaving Sharma and his family grappling with the possibility of demolition if the appeal fails
HOUSE EXTENSION PLANNING PERMISSION DEMOLITION COUNCIL BUILDING REGULATIONS DESIGN ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man Fined £250 for Drunk Horse-RidingA 42-year-old man, Garry Addision, was fined £250 for being drunk in charge of a horse after a police chase in Prudhoe, Northumberland.
Read more »
Rare £2 Coin Error Sends Prices Soaring to £250A rare error on a new British £2 coin celebrating George Orwell has caused prices to skyrocket to £250. The mistake occurred during a Royal Mint Experience tour where visitors strike their own coins. Coins minted on January 20th with the incorrect edge inscription are highly sought after by collectors. The Royal Mint is offering replacements for the affected coins, but they are already selling for hundreds of pounds online.
Read more »
Woman Flies to Spain to Collect New Car - Saving Nearly £250In a bid to save money, Kristina Coulson, a mother of four from Cornwall, opted for a unique solution to collect her new car: a flight to Manchester Airport via Malaga. The unexpected trip involved spending a day soaking up the sun in Spain before continuing to England to collect her vehicle. The cost-effective journey saved her hundreds of pounds compared to train travel.
Read more »
Sainsbury's gives away £250 to shoppers for important reasonYou'll need a Nectar card to get the deal
Read more »
Sainsbury's Offers £250 Energy-Saving Deals for Nectar Card HoldersSainsbury's partners with E.ON to provide substantial discounts on energy-efficient home upgrades, including solar panels and EV chargers, exclusively for Nectar cardholders. Customers can save up to £713 annually on electricity bills and earn Nectar points on their energy spending.
Read more »
Sainsbury's Energy Offers £250 Reward for Home Energy Efficiency UpgradesSainsbury's Energy, partnered with E.ON, is giving Nectar card holders up to £250 in rewards for making energy-efficient home improvements. Customers can receive £200 off solar panel installations and £50 off EV charger installations. The initiative aims to help customers reduce energy bills and carbon footprint.
Read more »