A TENNIS Court built without planning consent at a £3.6 million Bowdon mansion looks set remain in place, because the council failed to take required action against the developer for nearly four years.

Trafford Council’s planning enforcement department were notified about the court and associated changing hut at Green Bend in Grange Road, in September 2011.

Emails seen by Messenger catalogue a series of delays and inaction, including an occasion when all three planning enforcement officers were simultaneously off sick.

The then leader of the Labour group, Cllr David Acton, took up the issue following an initial complaint from a concerned resident.

“Frankly, I think it’s disgraceful what has happened,” said Cllr Acton.

“This has been a long, ongoing saga for years. I personally got involved two years ago.

“Apparently now, because they’ve not done anything, the time limit for taking action has expired.”

For its part, the council this week issued a short statement stating that they couldn’t provide further information on the issue, because it ‘could be subject to legal proceedings’. But earlier emails indicate that the council’s recourse for action has already expired.

In an email in March, director of growth and regulatory services, Richard Roe, said: “Given the time that has lapsed since the development was completed the possible actions open to the council are limited and not clear cut.

“I fully acknowledge that the elapse of time has been compounded by the council not previously taking action on this matter.

“However, my focus now is on what action we are able to take.

“The advice at present is that the council is not able to take any enforcement action, and that our aim should be to ensure there is no extension to the development.”

The property, designed and commissioned by renowned architect Frank Brookhouse Dunkerley for himself in 1923, is currently on the market for £3.6 million – with estate agent literature trumpeting the tennis court.

The property also boasts eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a steam room, gym, its own clock tower and a detached four car garage.

Messenger made attempts to contact the current owner of the house but received no response before going to press.