Hidden illegal home found in 'tool shed'

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Legal, Local Government

A raid on a building known as the 'Tool Shed' has exposed an illegal residence.

Officers from Stroud District Council's planning enforcement team executed a warrant to enter the building at Fourboys Garden Centre in Dursley.

After receiving a tip-off that the building was being used illegally as a residential flat, officers raided the building and discovered that an extra storey had been built without planning permission.

The officers went on to discover a furnished bedroom and lounge, a kitchen with appliances and a tiled shower room. It had been discovered that the hidden flat was occupied by the land owner's son and his partner.

The council is now preparing legal papers to end the occupancy and is considering having the building demolished.

As well as being in breach of planning regulations, it was found that the building did not comply with safety rules, putting the occupants at risk. The building was discovered to lack fire protection between the ground floor - which contained petrol-driven equipment - and the flat, as well as inadequate means of escape. The building also seemed to lack an electrical safety certificate.

Phillip Skill, head of planning for Stroud District Council, said: "In April, officers had requested access to the first floor, but the owner delayed access for several days. When an officer was finally allowed in, the first floor was sparsely furnished but did contain a fully fitted kitchen and appliances. Additionally, part of one of the rooms had been boarded off and officers suspected that it hid a bathroom. After this visit officers made several further attempts to gain access but were denied on each occasion.

"It is unusual for a council to seek a warrant to enter premises without notice, however we were concerned about not only the planning issues, but also the fact that the building had not been constructed as a residence should be, and consequently posed a serious safety risk. In my opinion, had there been a fire, the occupiers could well have suffered serious injury or even death. When a building is constructed without planning consent, the builder rarely pays any regard to structural and fire precautions either."