A BUSINESSMAN could be forced to demolish part of his house after building it five feet higher than agreed.

Several nearby residents and Bramhope and Carlton Parish Council have objected to on-going extensions and alterations to Green Acres in Moor Road, Bramhope.

They complain businessman Mike Winterhalder, who is also building a £1 million equestrian centre at the former stables next to the original bungalow, has flouted planning permission by extending the house more than agreed.

Now, Leeds City Council has refused retrospective planning permission for additional work at the site - next to greenbelt land - and will issue enforcement action to stop it going any further.

On Tuesday at the council's Development Control Panel West, councillors were expected to approve planning permission for changes to the original permission, but were persuaded to ignore the advice of planning officers following strong objection by Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale).

Original planning permission, given in April 2000, was for a first floor extension to provide an additional five bedrooms and two bathrooms and a triple garage. But since then, the Winterhalders have made many changes including raising the roof height by 1.6 metres and adding at least four more windows.

Coun Fox said after the meeting: "There is an important point here. People in Bramhope are sick and tired of Mr Winterhalder and a lot of people are saying why has he been allowed to get away with it?"

Councillors at the next panel will be given a list of reasons to refuse all works done in addition to the original planning permission plus notice of enforcement action.

Coun Fox said: "Anything done in addition to the original consent will be refused and enforcement action taken to put it back to the current house, that could involve demolition."