A BUILDER has been fined thousands over his work on two Bradford homes, with Magistrates raising concerns over a lack of fire doors amongst other issues.

Lee Harper, of Belle Vue Drive, Farsley, had been charged with two counts of contravening building regulations.

Both charges related to work he carried out developing loft conversions at homes in Clayton last Summer, work that building inspectors found included “serious defects.”

Harper, 42, was due to attend Bradford Magistrates Court on Thursday to answer the charges. He did not attend, but was found guilty in his absence.

Harjit Ryatt, prosecuting on behalf of Bradford Council, said issues with the work included inadequate fire safety measures.

Mr Ryatt said: “Builders have to give the Council prior notice and submit plans before carrying out work.

“When the Council inspected these properties we found the work had commenced, and that there were a number of serious defects with these works that could compromise the health and safety of inhabitants.

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“The Council served Harper with a notice requiring him to submit plans within 14 days.

“He failed to do so, and the Council issued him with a Section 36 notice requiring him to remedy the defects the Council had found.

“At one property there were no fire doors provided to the new loft conversion.

“There was also an incomplete smoke detection system.”

He said the stairs to the loft did not provide the minimum two metre head clearance, and there was not a big enough landing, meaning the door opening crossed the stairs.

Mr Ryatt said the stairway at the other property also failed to meet the head clearance level.

There were also no fire doors in the new build section of the second building, and the existing handrail on the stairs was “compromised.”

Mr Ryatt said when Harper was interviewed by the Council, he said he had asked the homeowners to let the Council know works were going on. But Mr Ryatt added: “This is the responsibility of the person carrying out the works.”

He said the Council had given Harper “adequate time” to remedy the issues before starting court proceedings.

The case was proved in his absence, with Chair of the Bench Alison Roberts saying: “We are very mindful of this from a health and safety point of view.

“The risk of harm to occupants was significant in both properties.”

Harper was given a £2,000 fine. He will also have to pay the full costs it took Bradford Council to investigate the case and bring it to court – £1,135, and an £800 surcharge.

After the case a Bradford Council spokesman said: "The recent Magistrate’s Court verdict on the unauthorised loft conversions and building works carried out are an important reminder of the importance of getting Building Control consent.

"Our Building Control department will pursue anyone who contravenes building regulations and undertakes unauthorised or dangerous building works. We would ask that the general public remain vigilant to any such practices taking place around them and at their own properties.”