Despite Illegally building 12 bungalows you can Keep Them!

January 19, 2019

I am sure that many people would love the flexibility of building anywhere and everywhere we wanted on land/property that we own, though we all know that we need to seek permission first and this means working closely with the planning department.

So a recent news story highlighting that illegal new building work took place and the developer has been allowed to keep what they built will raise a few eyebrows and of course tempt others to do likewise!

A developer who was said to have secretly built 12 bungalows without planning permission (they were disguised as gyms) has been allowed to keep them following investigation from Birmingham City Council’s planning committee – Raising a few eyebrows I am sure and of course we ask the question, who knows who at the said planning department so that illegal activities have been rewarded?

The 12 illegally built bungalows, an eye sore for sure, are hidden behind a row of flats in the Hall Green area of Birmingham and had electrics / water all connected ready for residential use – The planning department has since removed the utility connections.

Of course, if the planning department act as they would do if illegal development was against the law, the buildings would be torn down, but it appears that the planning committee withdrew their rejection upon advise that they would find it difficult to defend this in an appeal?

Remedial work is set to be carried out on the illegally built residential property portfolio to include installing roofs, doors and windows.

So lesson of the day, so I see this as being, is to attempt to build what you want on your land, you just may get away with it?

Full story can be read on the Daily Mail website.

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 21/11/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   VE+ the new procurement engine cutting developers costs without compromise Finishes packages are specification sensitive and expensive components of any build – VE+ fixes this  As construction costs continue to climb and procurement timelines tighten, developers and contractors are being pushed harder than ever…
Read More →
Breaking News

Inheritance Tax Receipts raise £5.2 billion in seven months

Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts hit £5.2 billion in the first seven months of the 2025/26 tax year, according to data released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) this morning. This is £0.2 billion higher than same period of the previous tax year and continues an upward trend over the last two decades. Nicholas Hyett, Investment…
Read More →
Breaking News

FMB calls on Reeves to scrap housing tax threat

The Chancellor needs to scrap the Government’s proposed landfill tax quarry exemption which will add up to £28,000 to the cost of homes on small sites in next week’s Autumn Budget, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “At a time when the Government is failing to…
Read More →
Breaking News

Full Steam Ahead! UK Construction to return to growth in 2026

Construction intelligence specialists predict renewed activity following false-start over the summer. Revised figures will see UK construction sector grow 21% over the next two years Private housebuilding remains on course to grow significantly, with activity still predicted to rise by almost a fifth in 2027 Commercial office starts set to continue their ascent, and increasing…
Read More →
Breaking News

Winter is Coming: Douglas & Gordon Warns Landlords and Tenants to Take Action Before Disputes Occur

Mould, damp, burst pipes and boilers on the blink? With temperatures set to plummet in London this week, real-estate agent Douglas & Gordon is advising landlords and tenants to take action before issues occur. With 45% of landlords experiencing arrears or disputes, often linked to property condition or delayed maintenance* the agent’s expert lettings team…
Read More →
Breaking News

Home sellers slashing asking prices amid Budget speculation

The latest research from Property DriveBuy reveals that homesellers are slashing asking prices across the country in an attempt to attract buyers in a stagnant pre-Budget housing market. The latest asking price data* shows that the average asking price in Britain (£364,833) fell by -1.8% between October and November 2025, contributing to an overall annual…
Read More →