Birmingham planning chiefs urged to get tough over extensions

Mar 27 2009 by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM’S planning chiefs have been told to stand up for themselves and stop the tide of home and building extensions without planning permission.

The plea came from Coun John Alden as he battled a retrospective planning application to extend a family-run shop in Northfield Road, Harborne.

But Birmingham’s planning committee was told members were powerless to prevent a new application being approved as long as it met regulations.

Coun Alden told the planning committee shop owner Chirjevan Singh had been given permission for a single-storey storeroom extension, but the building put up was four foot taller than permitted and include family living quarters.

Instead of cutting the building down to size, Mr Singh, put in a fresh planning application, recommended for approval by officers.

Coun Alden (Con, Harborne) said: “The building is four foot higher than the approved plans. The authority of the planning committee has been undermined.

“I would suggest the owner be made to remove the excess, then put in another application.

“If not, there should be enforcement action to restore the extension to its permitted level.” His view won sympathy with committee members of all political parties.

Coun Mike Sharpe (Lab, Tyburn) said: “I completely agree.