Bury Council ordered a string of alterations after discovering the luxury home was ‘unauthorised development’
A man who ignored planning permission and built his house too big and too tall is appealing to planners to let him keep some of his ‘misjudgements.’
The house was built after plans were approved for the demolition of a bungalow at the site and a replacement two-storey home built on a wider footprint. But the owners of the the newly built detached, five-bedroom home later admitted what was built ‘is not anywhere close to what was approved.’
Bury council ordered owner Saeed Postchi to make extensive alterations to the building after it was ‘not built in accordance with the plans’.
An enforcement notice issued by Bury Council said: “It is materially different in height, scale and massing.
“In addition, a masonry outbuilding has been constructed on the land which does not have planning permission. The erection of the dwelling and outbuilding therefore amount to unauthorised development.”
The council said the house was ‘overly dominant within the plot’ and was ‘seriously detrimental to the visual and residential amenity’ of those living nearby.
The authority ordered that to remedy the planning breach, the roof of the house, on Cockey Moor Road, Starling, to the west of Bury, needed to be reduced in height.
The owners were also told to remove a rear window along with three patio style windows, remove first floor balcony constructions, reform the roof of the porch area and demolish the outbuilding.
But after lowering the roof by 1.3 metres and removing the rear window to comply with the original plans, Mr Postchi has now applied to the council to let him keep some of the other modifications including the out building, three patio style windows and first floor balconies.
Responding to the notice for Mr Postchi, Barry Cullen Architecture Ltd submitted a supporting statement.
It said: “My client in hindsight reflects that what is built is not anywhere close to what was approved but he is also requesting a level of reconsideration in regards to how we have addressed mitigation of the design.
“We would welcome an open and honest discussion on all matters moving forward as we are eager to comply with planning criteria and rectify any misjudgements on my client’s behalf.”
It requested that the three patio windows, balconies, outbuilding and porch roof remained in place. The statement said: “We query whether the requirement is just to conform with the approval or if it is something that will simply not be approved at all?”
A request was made that these elements were given consideration by the council.
The original application said the home would have ‘the feel of late Victorian housing’. The first floor would have four bedrooms with an office and snug area to enjoy the views. The loft would be used as a bedroom with possibly a play or office area combined.
Bury Council will consider the response to the enforcement notice in the coming weeks.
