Developer who built east London block without approval makes fresh bid to keep it

Detailed summary

A Forest Gate developer ordered to demolish a block of flats he built without permission has come back with revised plans in a last bid to save the development.

A developer who built a larger block of flats than councillors approved is making a fresh attempt to secure planning permission after being ordered to demolish the building.

Surbjit Aulak was given permission in 2018 to build a two-storey structure containing two maisonettes in Forest Gate.

Newham Council issued an enforcement notice in 2022 and ordered the building's demolition, describing it as "low-quality housing" with undersized accommodation. But after an appeal, a government planning inspector ruled the building could remain if altered to comply more closely with approved plans.

Mr Aulak has now submitted fresh proposals in a bid to convince councillors to approve amended designs that would allow him to keep the building.

The Labour-led council approved Mr Aulak’s plans for two maisonettes eight years ago.

However, instead of building the approved plans, Mr Aulak instead built a three-storey building of four homes. These included a two bedroom flat on the ground floor, another on the first floor and two studios in the top floor.

The council ordered Aulak to demolish the building in an enforcement notice issued in 2022.

It said: “The undersized accommodation does not provide for an adequate or healthy living environment for existing and future occupants.”

After Mr Aulak appealed, the Government’s Planning Inspectorate said the developer did not have to demolish the building as long as he made it fit with the original planning permission.

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