Property developer Yusuf Sarodia has been hit with a £700,000 fine and has been ordered to pay costs of £25,000 after building a six-storey block of flats in Hoxton, London, without planning permission.
Mr Sarodia had continually ignored Hackney Council's enforcement notice which instructed him to demolish the flats. As each of the 34 flats is worth an estimated £300,000 each, there is little surprise that Mr Sarodia was reluctant to demolish the building. As a result, however, the Council placed a £700,000 confiscation order on him, which is a reflection of the rent Mr Sarodia received since the flats were built.
However, the fine does not mean the flats can remain standing - they must still be demolished. If the building isn't demolished, the Council can take further enforcement action.
Councillor Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "Anyone who thinks they have a right to build a property in Hackney without first obtaining planning permission must realise that the Council will take action against those who flout the rules. Putting up a building without planning permission is not only breaching planning law but to be quite frank puts at risk the safety of residents and neighbouring properties.”
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