Councillors hit out at those who build without permission

A homeowner in Low Moor faces having to rebuild a granny annexe after the panel refused retrospective permission for the structure’s new dimensions.

Bradford area planning panel heard that planners had approved blueprints for the granny annexe behind a home in Carr Lane, but neighbours became alarmed when it was built taller than planned.

Planning officers found it was up to 56cm taller than the approved plans in parts, and the enforcement team stepped in.

As a result, applicant Tehmina Masud applied for retrospective permission for the higher annexe, but this was refused by the panel at a meeting in City Hall today.

Ward councillor Sarah Ferriby (Lab, Wyke), who spoke on behalf of neighbours, said the granny annexe was now overbearing on nearby homes and raised her concerns about an “emerging issue around buildings not being built to plans”.

Planning officers had recommended that the higher structure be approved. 

Cllr Lee (Lab, Keighley East) said retrospective planning applications were “the thing I hate more than anything”, and said if people had been given permission for specific plans, they should stick to them.

She said: “I absolutely think it’s disgusting people can go away and think they can get away with a few more feet.”

Fellow panel member Councillor Alan Wainwright (Lab, Tong) added: “I move that we don’t accept officers’ recommendation and the builders should go back and sort it out.”

The panel refused the plans on the grounds they were overbearing.

Councillors approved an application for a new beauty treatment salon and Thai spa on the first floor of a building in Great Horton Road, despite concerns over parking.

Ward councillor Abdul Jabar (Lab, Great Horton) said the street had been named as Bradford’s most dangerous road, but Paleerat Wattanakul, for the applicants, said there would only be four or five customers at any one time.