Developer fined £700,000 for illegally building block of flats

The ‘rogue’ development in Hoxton. Photograph: Hackney Council

A rogue property developer is to be forced to cough up £700,000 for illegally building a block of flats.

Hackney Council ordered Garland Development Limited and its director Yusuf Sarodia to demolish a block of 34 flats in 2011 but the developer failed to do so.

Sarodia built the block of privately rented flats in Hoxton without planning approval.

The council, as part of its case, asked the court to confiscate the money the developer had made on the building.

Earlier this year the courts slapped a record £700,000 confiscation order on the developer, which the council believes is the largest one to be handed down in the UK.

The money will be shared between the council, the Court and the Treasury.

Cllr 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,” he said.

The property is yet to be demolished. The Council says it will consider further enforcement if Garland and Sarodia fail to do so.