Housebuilder told to remove sales centre

East Devon District Council said the sales centre at Cranbrook was built without planning permission

A Devon council has told a construction firm it must remove a building it installed in a town centre.

The property used by housebuilders Taylor Wimpey as a sales centre on Cranbrook's high street was erected without planning permission, East Devon District Council said.

The authority said it had taken enforcement action against the firm which required the sales centre to be removed and the site returned to its former condition within three months.

Taylor Wimpey said it had applied for retrospective planning permission for the sales centre and apologised for any alarm the siting of the building had caused.

'Deeply frustrating'

Councillor Todd Olive, portfolio holder for strategic planning, said the authority wrote to Taylor Wimpey on 25 October to request the building's removal along with its associated flags and signage.

He said this request was not complied with, which led to the enforcement action being issued on Wednesday.

"We want to see further shops coming forward at this prominent high street location," Olive said.

"It is deeply frustrating that Taylor Wimpey chose to go ahead with the installation of their sales centre that will block this objective."

'Engaging openly'

Taylor Wimpey said it fully supported the delivery of shops, community facilities and homes within Cranbrook town centre.

It added the sales centre was a temporary cabin chosen to "generate more activity" in the town and to allow the firm to complete the development of phase one of the area.

A spokesperson for the company said Taylor Wimpey would like to apologise for any issues caused by the sales centre.

"We have been engaging openly with East Devon District Council through this process and have applied for retrospective planning permission for the temporary cabin," the spokesperson added.