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.
Wow that’s what you call chutzpah
The developer had planning permission for 16 flats but built 34.Local residents complained about this while the work was going on and all the council enforcement team did was put 28 day cease work notices on the site.Each time once the 28 days was up the work continued ending up with what we have now. So I dont think that the council should be patting themselves on the back
I think Hackney should say why planning consent would have been refused had an application been made for the current building.
Pat’s comment is worth noting as the council do have questions to answer on why this was allowed to continue and took so long to resolve. The developer Sarodia is well known across all E London boroughs and a reputation for not seeking planning permission on numerous buildings and developments with outstanding enforcements and action pending in Newham on another development.
As for why consent would have been refused? Because consent was given for under half the number of flats that he constructed. Not the numebr put up. If he had applied for that number it would have been refused. So he built them in any case.
Do not be under any illusion this man is a crook and somebody you do not want as a neighbour, a landlord, a freeholder or a developer in your borough. His work is shoddy, building standards are rarely met and he chases money over the law & the rights of community, neighbours and anyone else. Check his name on any future development and raise objections – there will be plenty.
I know this crook since long,he is a totally fraud,and he always find short cuts,he got contacts with gangsters as well,police need to keep an eye on him.
RE:- CLAIM NUMBER CO_405-2016 ISSUED IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BY ISMAIL ABDULHAI BHAMJEE:
There is a Hearing Date to be given in the High Court of Justice Administrative Court Office.
Any Other Information can be obtained from the High Court of Justice Administrative Court Office.
Yours Faithfully
Ismail Abdulhai Bhamjee
How about utilising these flats as affordable homes and pay the developer a ground rent?
I suppose that taking a ground rent would cover up the incompetence of councilors and council for not dealing properly with this building when it was first reported.
how about not paying the developer anything for these illegally built flats? seems there is a concern as to wether they even meet building standards. how about prosecuting the developer and if the property is actually fit for habitation seizing it without compensation? shocked that an elected Cllr would suggest giving an income to this bent developer
Simon, ground rent for agricultural land is approx £80 an acre!
Councillor Jackson It might be better if the other developments in Stanway street that have take council land illegally were also put under the microscope.The council know all about them but have done nothing, just like the large amount of council land in Regan way which is now lost and in the hand of developers.