Mansion owner in court over unauthorised work on listed building

The owner of a listed mansion in South Wales who illegally converted the property to look like something out of "Footballers Wives" has been ordered by a judge to repair the damage.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Andrew Hazell had neither planning permission nor building control consent for a series of major changes to The Gondra country estate near Chepstow, the centrepiece of which is a 250-year-old Grade ll listed building.

Paula Clarke, chief planning enforcement officer for Monmouthshire County Council told the court that the building work carried out was the worst she had ever seen in 25 years as a planner.

The court heard that features like six-panel doors, moulded architraves, plaster cornices, marble fireplaces and sash windows had been ripped out.

Hazell had also built a courtyard, a six-vehicle garage and put a swimming pool in the grounds. Clarke told the court that the work "looked like something straight out of Footballers' Wives".

Judge David Wynn Morgan said the owner "breached planning regulations on a staggering scale".
He has adjourned the case until next month and plans to visit the estate to inspect restoration work which Hazell says will cost in the region of £500,000.

"If I imposed a fine that would restrict his ability to matters right. It is better that his resources be used to put things right," said the judge.

Roger Milne

12 July 2007