Bradford homeowner agrees to demolish unlawful extension

The extension in Fagley was built to house a downstairs toilet, Bradford Magistrates' Court heard

A homeowner has agreed to demolish an extension built without planning permission - 12 years after he was first told to do so.

Bradford Council told Mohammed Azhar, 57, to take down the single-storey extension to the back of his house in Fagley, Bradford, in 2012.

Years passed and the extension, built onto another one, remained in place.

At Bradford Magistrates' Court last week he admitted failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

The court heard Mr Azhar submitted a retrospective planning application for the structure in 2011, but it was refused.

As it was connected to an existing extension, the council told him it would extend the original house by 7m (22.9ft) and have an "overbearing impact" on neighbours.

He appealed the decision, but a government inspector upheld the refusal, agreeing it would impact on current and any future neighbours.

'Mobility issues'

Ruksana Kosser, representing Bradford Council, said: "This goes back to 2012, and the prosecution began in 2022.

"The council sent various letters ordering him to bring down the extension and comply with the notice."

Jabran Hussain, representing Mr Azhar, said the extension was built to house a downstairs toilet which was needed for Mr Azhar's elderly parents.

Mr Hussain said: "His parents have since passed away, and he has been hit with problems of his own that have given him serious mobility issues.

"He now understands the only way forward is to comply with the enforcement notice."

Mr Azhar was fined £200 and ordered to pay £800 in costs to the council, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.