A MALDON councillor who built an “unauthorised” home on her land has lost her bid to stop the building being torn down.  

Sue White, who represents Purleigh, was issued an enforcement notice by Maldon District Council in June last year after a bungalow appeared on her land in Nipsells Chase, Mayland. 

Ms White had permission to build an apple storage barn but Maldon District Council discovered when the works took place it actually resembled a bungalow.

The authority served her with an enforcement notice saying it must be taken down. 

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Appeal lost - Councillor Susan WhiteAppeal lost - Councillor Susan White

According to The Planning Inspectorate document, the structure, is in “breach of planning control” as the notice states an “unauthorised erection of a C3 residential dwelling house on the ‘land’”.

Ms White, made an appeal under her other name of Sue Paton, with Kenneth Paton also challenged the ruling. 

But after an inquiry in March this year, a planning inspector ruled the enforcement notice stood and the building must be removed. 

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Area - a Street View image of Nipsells ChaseArea - a Street View image of Nipsells Chase (Image: Google Maps)

The appeal decision said: “The appeal building was not constructed in accordance with the approved plans of the original or variation permission.

 “But instead included additional rooms that resembled the layout submitted with application 23/00076/FUL for a change of use of the building to a residential bungalow.”

As part of the notice, Ms White must remove the building from the land in its entirety and remove all vehicles, equipment, materials, paraphernalia, and waste associated with it.

The Maldon and Burnham Standard contacted Ms White via phone but was informed she is on holiday for the next few weeks.

A spokesman for Maldon District Council, said; “We can confirm that an enforcement notice had been issued by Maldon District Council on 29 June 2023 in relation to a breach of planning control at Nipsells Chase, Mayland. 

"The applicant appealed to the Planning Inspectorate who have recently upheld the enforcement notices and therefore rejected the appeals.

"As with all enforcement notices where an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate is dismissed, the council will be following this matter up in due course. 

"The council cannot comment further at this stage or provide any further details.”