A property company has been ordered to pay the largest planning fine in Islington’s history after a “substandard” conversion of a Tufnell Park house into five flats.
Etek Developments (Tufnell Park) Limited, and its director, Eusebiu Sebastian Tudor, were ordered to pay £304,458 at Blackfriars Crown Court after legal action by the town hall.
The work on the property in 180, Tufnell Park Road, was “inadequate”. Islington issued an enforcement notice, but this was ignored by Etek and it continued to rent out the accommodation.
Planning permission eventually lapsed, enabling Islington to take the case to Highbury Corner Magistrates’ in September last year, where Etek and Tudor pleaded guilty for non-compliance with planning enforcement.
Etek and Tudor were given additional fines of £8,000 and £12,000 at Blackfriars.
Cllr Diarmaid Ward, Islington’s housing boss, said: “This case should serve as a warning to landlords considering flouting planning laws. Islington Council will not tolerate this and will take legal action where necessary.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here