Record £700k taken from rogue developer
The flats in Stanway Street, Hoxton - Credit: Archant
A record-breaking £700,000 has been seized from a rogue private developer, who defied planning law to build an illegal six-storey block of flats.
Yusuf Sarodia, the sole directors of Garland Development Limited, built 34 privately-rented flats in Stanway Street, Hoxton, without planning permission.
In November this year he was fined £10,000 for failing to demolish the property, thought to have been built in 2007, after Hackney Council served an enforcement notice in August 2011.
As part of the case the council made an application to Snaresbrook Crown Court to confiscate money illegally made from the building under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
In August this year the court made a confiscation order in the sum of £700,000.
The confiscation order is believed to be one of the biggest ever handed down for a planning breach.
The council will receive one third of this with the other two thirds split between the court and the Treasury.
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Money received by the council will be reinvested back into the services that brought the developer to justice.
Garland and Sarodia have still not demolished the property, and the council is considering further enforcement if action is not taken.
Cllr Guy Nicholson, cabinet member for regeneration said: “Putting up a building without planning permission is not only breaching planning law but to be quite frank puts at risk the safety of residents and neighbouring properties.”
“Anyone who thinks they have a right to build a property in Hackney without first obtaining planning permission must realise that the council will take action against those who flout the rules.
The Gazette was unable to contact Mr Sarodia, of The Drive, Ilford, for comment.
