An unauthorised outhouse with a concealed entrance constructed at back of a residential property in Park Royal has been demolished by Ealing Council.

On Monday, 22 February 2016 a detached outhouse at the rear of 16 Beechwood Gardens, NW10, was demolished after the owner failed to comply with an enforcement notice requiring them to remove the illegal dwelling.

Ealing Council officers discovered the concealed entrance to the outhouse behind what appeared to be a garage door in July 2014 during a routine check of newly erected outbuildings in the Park Royal area of the borough.

When officers entered the building they found a fully self-contained house complete with kitchen and bathroom that did not have planning permission.

The owner was served with an enforcement notice requiring them to remove the dwelling. The owner then submitted a planning application to retain the building in September 2015. This was refused and, after a final warning, the council’s demolition contractor was brought in to remove the illegal outbuilding when the owner failed to comply with the notice.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for safety, culture and community services, said: "Planning regulations are in place to protect our residents and communities and it is unlawful to build a self-contained house without planning permission."

"We will take robust action against property owners who seek to outwit the planning system by concealing their activities. This outbuilding was illegally constructed and rightly demolished, and the owner will pay the cost for deliberately flouting the law."

The owner will be sent a bill for the demolition cost of the works. If the bill is not settled a charge will be placed on the property which will incur interest until the outstanding money is paid in full.

Anyone who has information about suspected illegal back yard developments can report it in confidence to the council’s regulatory services team on 020 8825 8786 or email the details to outhouses@ealing.gov.uk

Before and without garage door

During and after demolitiono