Former planner's home breaks council regulations
Fairview Road development now subject to enforcement action
A FORMER West Berkshire planning officer has built an extension to his home without seeking the necessary planning permission.
Residents of Fairview Road, Hungerford, were astonished to see the construction take shape and demanded to know what was going on.
The Newbury Weekly News has learnt that Tim Slaney, who is currently head of planning and development at Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, failed to folow the correct procedure.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “People aren't happy. It overlooks other properties. After we raised the matter with them, council officials came round and had a word with Mr Slaney and he did come round and apologise to people, saying he didn't realise planning permission was necessary.”
West Berkshire Council initially denied to comment, stating that the matter was confidential.
However, when pressed further, council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: “The council is aware of works being carried out at this address,” and added that the necessary planning permission had been neither sought nor granted.
Ms Stoddart-Crompton said: “The council often checks properties with regard to compliance and any need for planning permission. These requests are always dealt with in the same way.
“In line with normal practice, the council is currently in contact with the property owner and has requested the submission of a retrospective planning application in order to regularise the administrative part of the planning process.”
She did not reply when asked whether the council's policy was to frown upon retrospective applications.
However, the council's own website states that it is “illegal” to deliberately carry out such work without prior permission and adds: “The council might decide to take enforcement action.”
Such action can result in the owner being ordered to remove the construction.
There is no suggestion that Mr Slaney, who worked at West Berkshire Council as planning and transport policy manager between April 2005 and April 2007, deliberately flouted planning regulations.
