The owner of a house in Hackney has been forced to pull down a two-storey extension that was built without planning permission, following action by Hackney Council.

The unauthorised development overshadowed neighbouring homes and was not in keeping with the Victorian properties in Moresby Road, E5.

Following several unsuccessful planning applications submitted by the owner to gain retrospective planning permission, Council planning officers served the owner with an enforcement notice.

If the owner had not complied with the enforcement notice and removed the extension, the Council would have prosecuted him.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Regneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “Hackney Council is sending out a clear message that it will not put up with planning laws being flouted or ignored.

“Planning laws are in place to protect residents and our neighbourhoods from unauthorised development. If people choose to ignore them, we will take whatever action is necessary to deal with the issue."