Construction on a house all but built on an estate in Flixton started without authorisation, according to planning officers.

Councillors on the Planning and Development Management Committee are set to consider whether to allow retrospective permission for the property this week.

According to planning officers, the six-bedroom house on the corner of Easedale Close and Marlborough Road is all but built, apart from its roof and its rendering.

But when construction started last year, after the demolition of an extension and a garage, it did so without authorisation.

For reasons which are unclear, due to the redaction of information from the application, the applicant was under the impression he was authorised to start the work.

It was 'a complete surprise' when compliance officers contacted him to tell him this was not the case.

If the councillors on the Planning and Development Management Committee refuse retrospective permission, as is recommended to them, all of this work is at risk.

Messenger Newspapers: The house at the corner of Easedale Close and Marlborough Road. Picture: Acer Town PlanningThe house at the corner of Easedale Close and Marlborough Road. Picture: Acer Town Planning

A report to the committee reads: "The adverse impacts of the development would demonstrably and significantly outweigh the benefits. There is a conflict with up-to-date adopted development plan policy and the National Planning Policy Framework would also suggest that this development should be refused.

"The application is therefore recommended for refusal.

Cllr Simon Thomas, a councillor on the committee who represents Flixton Ward, is expected to argue against this recommendation.

Cllr Thomas's arguments include a lack of opposition to the application by other residents and the limited number of adverse impacts on the area. But planning officers disagree, in particular on the second of these arguments.

Their report to the committee reads: "The design of the dwelling as constructed does not reflect local character and distinctiveness, and appears as a visually intrusive and incongruous element in the street scene, harmful to the character and appearance of the area."

The Planning and Development Management Committee meets on Thursday at 6.30pm.


This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.