Developer who built 12 illegal secret bungalows disguised as gyms on a hidden strip of land between houses is allowed to keep them after changing their use to storage

  • The 12 bungalows were found in a strip of land behind row of flats in Birmingham
  • Council planning committee ruled the developer won't have to knock them down
  • The developer had originally claimed that the bungalows would be used as gyms 

A developer who built 12 secret bungalows without planning permission and disguised them as gyms will be allowed to keep them.

Birmingham City Council's planning committee granted permission for the 12 single-storey buildings to remain on a hidden strip of land between houses in the Hall Green area. 

They first received a complaint about the bungalows in 2017 but when they confronted the owner he claimed the rooms were gyms and showers. 

However, inspectors discovered they had water and electricity and going to be used as living accommodation - prompting them to remove all of the utility connections with the buildings remaining as empty shells. 

The 12 illegally built bungalows are hidden behind this row of flats in the Hall Green area of Birmingham

The 12 illegally built bungalows are hidden behind this row of flats in the Hall Green area of Birmingham

The buildings were erected without planning permission and then passed off as gyms to planning officers

The buildings were erected without planning permission and then passed off as gyms to planning officers

Correct building regulations were not followed by the owner, who has not been named. 

He then submitted several planning applications to legitimise the buildings but they were refused over concerns around their design, location and the impact on nearby homes. 

The planning committee intended to reject the latest proposal, considered in December, but were warned by council officers on January 17 that their refusal would be difficult to defend in an appeal.  

However, inspectors found water, electricity and evidence that they were going to be used as homes

However, inspectors found water, electricity and evidence that they were going to be used as homes

This prompted officers to remove all of the appliances, leaving some of the bungalows as empty shells

This prompted officers to remove all of the appliances, leaving some of the bungalows as empty shells

However, despite the illegal construction, the developer, who has not been named, will not have to knock them down 

However, despite the illegal construction, the developer, who has not been named, will not have to knock them down 

No neighbouring residents have submitted formal objections to the bungalows. 

The planning committee then decided to let the buildings remain in place with remedial work set to be carried out.

The work includes tiling the roofs and installing windows and doors.

Officers will provide an update for the committee in six months' time.

Coun Lucy Seymour-Smith told Birmingham Live: 'I wasn't happy with this in December and I am still not overly happy, I don't believe the applicant has gone into this with good faith.

'But the additional work officers have done in terms of enforcement and keeping an eye on this has increased my confidence.'

He submitted planning applications after being rumbled by inspectors, but they were rejected

He submitted planning applications after being rumbled by inspectors, but they were rejected

However, the latest application will not be rejected, and no neighbouring residents have submitted formal complaints

However, the latest application will not be rejected, and no neighbouring residents have submitted formal complaints