DEVELOPERS are building new homes beyond the limits of their planning permission – and it is up to residents to stop them.
The message comes from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council after it agreed to issue enforcement action against the developer of a detached house in Reigate's Wray Common Conservation Area, which was built 80cm taller than the approved plans, allowing extra rooms to be added on the second floor.
The council's planning committee refused retrospective planning permission for the larger building when it met last Wednesday and will now complain directly to the Government about the lack of control it has over building construction in the area.
Developers are not obliged to use the council's building control services and can instead employ private companies to check their buildings are being constructed safely, and to the approved plans.
Executive member for planning Mike Miller said: "This is yet another case of a developer not using our building control, but using an outside source because it is probably cheaper. If we don't know developers are doing it [flouting granted permissions], we have to rely, unfortunately, on our residents' eyes and ears.
"It is quite noticeable over the last year or so that a lot of developments have not been built in accordance with planning permission granted by this council.
"It is very difficult to control a site when we have got no control over it."
Neighbours raised concerns the house in Gatton Park Road was larger than the plans with the council. Addressing Wednesday's meeting, Wraylands Drive resident Paras Jethwa, said: "It is taller, longer, and wider than the drawings suggest.
"How can those assembled here today believe this was anything other than a deliberate act."
Speaking afterwards, he added: "The interesting thing to come out of this is the lack of regulation, and the use of independent contractors without any council oversight."
Committee member Natalie Bramhall told the meeting: "I have never experienced a developer that has built a house not in accordance with the granted permission and thinks he can apply for retrospective planning permission."
In a reference to a "castle" built illegally in Salfords and hidden from view with hay bales, which has become the subject of a six-year planning battle, she added: "All that, possibly, is missing here is some straw bales."
The director at Marland Developments, the developer, declined to comment, but said the size difference was an accident.
