A senior Bradford councillor had skirting boards fitted in a garage and a staircase between a second-floor granny flat and the loft space above, a panel heard yesterday.

Labour group chief whip Councillor Sher Khan (Little Horton ) had been forced to apply for retrospective planning permission for a detached double garage with a first-floor residential area in the garden of his home in Cleckheton Road, Low Moor .

This was down to the development being different from what he had already received permission to build.

At yesterday’s Bradford Planning Panel it emerged that stairs had originally been built between the second-floor living space and the loft above, but had since been removed as they did not comply with building regulations.

It was also alleged that the garage had been plastered out and skirting boards fitted too as a sign that it was to be used for living accomodation and not parking.

Coun Khan, who did not attend the panel, was given planning permission last November to demolish a garage at his home and to build a “granny flat” above a new garage.

However it became clear that what was built was not in accordance with the approved plans. Officers outlined that although the overall height of the building is smaller than the original plans, the eaves were lower, meaning a steeper roof pitch, and a window had been added to the roof space.

Objectors complained amid fears that the building would be used as a detached three-storey home. One objection, which was read out at the meeting, said it was “inappropriate for a local councillor to flaunt planning regulations” and “what example does this set?”.

Councillor David Robinson (Ind, Wyke ), speaking on behalf of some of the objectors, said: “I am given to understand the garage interior is plastered and has skirting boards inside. A staircase was in situ from the first floor to the loft and has now been removed.

“A window has been built into the roof that looks into the property opposite. The roof pitch is also different to what was agreed.”

Amended plans were then submitted to the Council to comply with what was built.

At yesterday’s meeting, members of the planning panel agreed to pass the new plans after going a site visit.