Solihull Council has initiated a formal investigation into controversial home extension works at a property in Castle Bromwich, following complaints from local residents and a ward councillor who described the development as 'disgraceful'.
Planning Dispute Escalates
The situation centres on 24 Farnworth Grove, where planning permission was initially granted by Solihull Council in September last year for a first-floor side extension and a two-storey rear extension. The applicant, Mohammed Bilal, later sought to amend this permission in July with a proposal to increase the height via a loft conversion on the rear extension.
This amended application was refused by the local authority's planning team. However, the decision was overturned on appeal by the government’s Planning Inspectorate in October, allowing the revised plans to proceed.
Enforcement Investigation Launched
When construction work subsequently began, it immediately sparked alarm. Ward councillor Alan Feeney and neighbours raised the alarm with council planners, leading to the current enforcement investigation.
A spokesperson for Solihull Council confirmed the action, stating: “The council recently registered an enforcement investigation (at the property). Demolition works carried out to date were raised as a concern.”
The authority also conducted an assessment under dangerous building legislation. They confirmed that the adjoining property remains structurally intact and does not currently pose an immediate danger to the public, but emphasised that the case remains live and under assessment.
Local Outcry and Political Criticism
Councillor Alan Feeney has been vocal in his criticism of the project and the planning appeal process. He argued that the work resembles a demolition rather than a standard extension and had requested that the council issue a stop notice to prevent further development.
Expressing frustration with the national planning inspectorate's decision to overturn the local council's refusal, Cllr Feeney said, “The decision of elected members should be final. Local communities just have to accept whatever is pushed on them. This has resulted in the kind of disgraceful works we have seen here.”
The case highlights ongoing tensions between local planning authority decisions and national appeal bodies, with the outcome of the council's enforcement investigation now eagerly awaited by all parties involved.
