The properties before the demolition. (Image: Google)
Tower Hamlets Council has ordered three conservation area houses, illegally demolished in June 2016, to be rebuilt by their owners exactly as they stood before.
The owners, suspected to have caused or permitted the demolition of the buildings in the Coldharbour conservation area near Canary Wharf, repeatedly refused to give a credible explanation for their destruction during enquiries by the council.
Enforcement notices have now been issued to the owners, giving them 18 months to rebuild the properties.
John Biggs, mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Many local people were understandably distressed by the demolition of these properties. It is right that those who show contempt for our heritage assets and flout the law should face legal action.
“I am pleased our legal action will help remedy the harm the loss of these buildings has caused to the area. It was my view at the time that the owners should be made to replace these properties like-for-like, brick by brick.”
A council spokesperson said: “Three properties at 2-6 East Ferry Road in Coldharbour conservation area have been demolished without planning permission.
“The demolished buildings were considered to be of historical interest, value and importance and should have been conserved
“A successful prosecution is considered to be in the public’s interest. We believe such flagrant breaches of planning control should not go undeterred and without consequences.”
The owners have just appealed the council’s action. This appeal will be handled by the secretary of state and interested parties will be able to comment on the appeal once it has formally started.
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Accepting the conservation law issues here & needing to send out a clear message to deter further similar breaches, I struggle to see the merit in enforcing the rebuilding of these properties like-for-like that are hardly things of beauty!
Surely a significant fine would have sufficed?
As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder
I agree 100% .. quality of life and environment has to come first most of the time; instead of profits profits and sometimes nasty profits.
The offenders should have no right of appeal & should be served with an Injunction to re-build these properties exactly as before, immediately! They knew exactly what they were doing, trying to hoodwink the law!
I totally agree with the council. Developers in my area demolished listed buildings in a conservation area and were fined a paultry two thousand pounds. What sort of deterrent is that?