Unauthorised building for an unauthorised use • Neasden

Prosecution was likely to be a time consuming and difficult process, given the impending sale of the property, so the Council employed contractors to demolish the building.

This approach not only solved the problem in a matter of hours, but local press coverage sent out a powerful message to anyone who might be considering a breach of planning control.

The owner was subsequently convicted of failing to take the steps required by the enforcement notice before he sold the property. He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £850 prosecution costs as well as £2,300 compensation to the Council for the costs it incurred in demolishing the unauthorised building.