Stoke Newington landlord handed £40,000 court bill for dodgy roof extension
The roof was left as it was despite being given an enforcement notice. Picture: Hackney Council - Credit: Archant
Ignoring demands to tear down an illegal roof extension has earned a Stoke Newington landlord a £40,000 court fine – and its director an arrest warrant.
The roof extension earned the landlord a �40,000 court fine. Picture: Hackney Council - Credit: Archant
Sternglade Ltd was told to cough up the cash at Thames Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, having already been billed £4,700 in fines and costs over the same issue in 2010.
The roof of the large Victorian villa, let out as flats, had been built up at the back and side of the Evering Road property without planning permission.
Hackney Council took enforcement action telling the landlord to take it down in 2009 but was ignored, hence the 2010 conviction.
The developers then got planning permission for an acceptable alternative to the development – but even then did nothing to change it.
You may also want to watch:
As well as the £40,000 fine, Sternglade was also billed £1,760 for the town hall’s costs, as well as a victim surcharge of £170.
Director Michael Scharf, who was also charged with the same offence repeatedly failed to go to court and a warrant is now out for his arrest.
Most Read
- 1 Hackney road closures 'will cost lives', says volunteer ambulance service
- 2 Jailed: 'Dangerous' Hackney predator found with 1,600 indecent child images
- 3 Joint Covid patrols launched to ensure lockdown rules are followed
- 4 Police appeal for help to trace wanted Dalston man
- 5 Covid-safe shared workspaces in Hackney on flexibility without formalities
- 6 'Common sense' prevails as Stamford Hill testing centre moved out of estate
- 7 Lockdown: Thirteen card players busted by police in Hackney social club
- 8 Stoke Newington School looks to raise £60K for student laptops
- 9 Homerton Hospital says 'stay home' after 'major incident' declared
- 10 Woman arrested over London Fields shooting that left innocent bystander paralysed
The council’s planning boss Cllr Guy Nicholson, said: “This company not only ignored the Council’s enforcement notice but even when they had the chance to correct the works they didn’t take this opportunity.
“The council is there to apply planning rules that support and enable safe and appropriate development in the borough. However, we won’t hesitate to take legal action if those rules are broken and no effort is made to rectify an unauthorised development.”
