Demolition crews to move in on ‘monster mansion’ built without planning permission after neighbours win battle to have it torn down
- Gurwinder Singh tore down his own house to build a four-bed ‘monster mansion’
- Walsall Council has now said the homeowner must knock his new property down
A ‘monster mansion’ that was built without planning permission is set to be torn down after neighbours won a battle to get it demolished.
Gurwinder Singh knocked down his own semi-detached house in Willenhall to build a ‘huge’ four-bedroom property which made his neighbours’ lives ‘hell’.
Locals in the West Midlands town described is as being ‘like a Travelodge in the middle of a housing estate’ while others branded it a ‘monstrosity’ and ‘an eyesore.’
Walsall Council last year served Mr Singh with an enforcement notice ordering him to tear the property down following complaints from nearby residents.
Now, the council has again said Mr Singh must tear his new property down after dismissing the homeowner’s appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Walsall Council has said Gurwinder Singh must pull his ‘monster mansion’ (pictured) down following complaints from nearby residents
Gurwinder Singh knocked down his semi-detached house (pictured) in Willenhall to build a four-bedroom ‘monster mansion’
READ MORE: Homeowner is ordered to demolish £200,000 ‘monster mansion’ he built without planning permission making life ‘hell’ for neighbours in semi-detached next door
Neighbours say they hope the row can finally be resolved after three years of trying to get the house on the corner of Sandringham Avenue and Arundel Road demolished.
Mr Singh initially had planning permission for just a modest extension to the 1960s house in 2020 but went one step further and demolished the entire building.
It is thought the brand new house would have cost in the region of £200,000 to build – and would have been the biggest property in the area.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘We’ll believe it when we see it as this has been going on for far too long.
‘It sticks out like a sore thumb, I’m not sure how they thought they would ever get away with doing this.
‘I saw it described as like having a Travelodge in the middle of a housing estate, and I think that sums it up. It’s just so out of place and a real eyesore.
‘We’ve all rallied together to object to this, so hopefully this is now the end of the saga and that monstrosity can be pulled down for good.’
Another previously said: ‘I think it’s right that he should tear it down.
‘Why should you anyone get away with breaking the rules. The house is bloody huge and looks like a horrible monster mansion.
‘None of the other houses in this area are that big, what on earth was he thinking?’
Neighbours described the ‘monster mansion’ as ‘out of place’ and like a ‘Travelodge in the middle of a housing estate’
Gurwinder Singh had permission to build a modest extension onto his 1960s house but went one step further and demolished the entire building
A third neighbour said: ‘When the house started going up I heard the next door neighbour whose house is attached could actually see the cracks coming through their walls.
‘I’m glad the council have nipped it in the bud now before it’s finished. It was at least three times the size of the original house. It looks like a sports hall.’
In a decision notice, inspector Andrew McGlone said: ‘The appellant claims that the works which have taken place on site accord with the planning permission granted by the council on May 17, 2021 (‘the 2021 permission’) for a two-storey side extension and single-storey front extension for a front porch and bay window.
‘Further, in respect of the outbuilding, the appellant contends that it is permitted development and does not require planning permission.
‘Dimensions, taken on site, and agreed between the main parties, have allowed the parties to compare the floor plan of what has been built to the approved floor plan for the 2021 permission.
‘Setting aside the fact that the works are not an extension to the dwelling since it was demolished, the outcome of the assessment confirms that, the layout, footprint, scale, massing and appearance of the structure are different to the 2021 permission.
‘Hence, the appellants have not carried out the development granted through the 2021 permission and there is no other planning permission in place for the development that has taken place.
‘As a result, there has been a breach of planning control in respect of the partially erected replacement dwelling.’
It is believed the new property (pictured) would have cost around £200,000 to build
Neighbours said they ‘rallied together’ to object to Gurwinder Singh’s monster mansion
Committee Chairman Mike Bird said previously: ‘This is a very serious situation.
‘Walsall Council is going to put ‘force’ back into enforcement. When we find out, we will prosecute you.
‘Adjoining neighbours have suffered hell. There has been a lack of co-operation from day one so I welcome the enforcement.
‘We’ve got to be shown to make a stand against people who think they can build anything they like in relation to the planning permission they receive.’
A Walsall Council spokesman said: ‘We can confirm that the Planning Inspector’s appeal decision dated July 7, 2023 has been received by the local planning authority.
‘The Inspector has upheld the council’s enforcement notice (with some changes made including compliance period).’
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