30-06-2025
I have to tear down £50k Grand Designs-style mansion as council say it ‘doesn't fit'… but it's only trains who see it
A BUILDER has been ordered to tear down his £50k Grand Designs-style mansion after the council said it doesn't fit in.
Tonnes of soil was excavated from Shokat Khan's
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Shokat Khan added a new building at the bottom of his property's garden in Bradford
Credit: Ben Lack
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But he has left it unfinished for two years due to council's plans to demolish it
Credit: Ben Lack
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They have called the building illegal with its 'incongruous' and 'prominent' design
Credit: Ben Lack
The father-of-one, who is originally from America, wanted to "bring a slice of California" to his West Yorkshire home that is fit with a home office, games room,
It is cleverly hidden from view by a railway embankment below, and therefore only visible to trains passing by.
However, council officials have rules the structure was built without permission, and declared the entire £50,000 project illegal.
Following years of investment by Mr Khan into the ambitious build, the council have ordered for it to be demolished.
Mr Khan, thinking his property would not be intrusive or overbearing for neighbours, said: ""Because it's in a valley that nobody can see, I thought it was perfect.
"I won't build it up, I'll build it down, so you can't see anything."
He added: "The building inspector came out in 2008 and gave me the go-ahead, and I never heard anything from the council for years.
"There was no suggestion at all that I had done anything wrong."
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But because Mr Khan did it all himself, from removing the vegetation, laying concrete foundations, and building up from the foot of the embankment to garden level, he thought the project fell within permitted development rights.
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Bradford Council, however, took enforcement action last August by demanding he demolish the structure within three months.
They described the building as "incongruous" and "prominent" with its modern design, white render finishing and 'scale, massing and position upon an otherwise undeveloped embankment."
During a planning committee meeting, planners also claimed the rooftop terrace provided 'unrestricted views into the most private areas' of a neighbour's home.
Mr Khan argues the council's enforcement action comes too late, as the project was started more than decade ago.
He also insists the annex was built to a very high standard, with structural engineer backing: "I've gone at least five times over what is stipulated by building regulations.
"When I build something, I build something where it's going to last."
"I've done everything by the book, gone above and beyond," Mr Khan continued.
"I've worked on it after work, digging and building myself."
"You just want to create something beautiful that'll be there after you're gone - and still, you're treated like you've done something wrong.'
The 55-year-old still has greater plans for the property, including installing a kitchenette, toilet, Jacuzzi and full-size pool table.
But he may have to demolish the building entirely, if his current appeal to the Planning Inspectorate is unsuccessful.
Mr Khan is determined to fight if it comes to it: "I've got lawyers. I'll go all the way. Anyone with sense can see the value in what I've built.
"It's not intrusive at all. You have to think of people other than yourself.
"I could have built a granny annex at ground level which would have been imposing - instead they're looking at something much nicer."
He expects the home could be finished within five months, but it's been two years since he has done anything to its interior due to fears its demolition could come at any moment.
"I've felt like jumping off the rooftop because of all this constant harassment from the council."
Bradford Council, however, have defended their decisions and stated: "The difficulty with this proposal is that the size of the outbuilding with the amount of floor space over multiple levels is substantial in the context of a private dwelling.
"The building is large and the floorspace is utilised over multiple floors, and the local planning authority has not been provided with any details or any explanations as to why such an amount of space for an outbuilding use would be required for that amount of ancillary space."
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Mr Khan suspects the source of council's antagonism may be a
But he thought the build would be something all the neighbours could enjoy.
