Six bed house up for auction at £200k - but there's a catch

14 Green Head Road has been described as “extensive and versatile accommodation,” and will be included in an online property auction on October 14.

However, the house is currently the subject of an active enforcement notice by Bradford Council that requires the demolition of a significant amount of the building.

Located in the Utley area of the town, the listing, by BTG Eddisons, describes the property as a “substantial six bedroom detached residential property.”

But it goes on to point out the building’s complicated past when it comes to planning. It says: “The property is also subject to a Planning Enforcement Notice relating to the construction of the dwelling, which requires the unauthorised works to be addressed in accordance with the terms of the notice.”

That enforcement notice was issued by Bradford Council in January 2021, and said the walls and roof of the property had been built higher than what had ever been approved by planning officers.

Although numerous applications to extend the property had been approved before then, including a two storey side extension and a loft conversion – what currently stands on the site has never been granted planning permission.

A retrospective application to increase the height of the roof, submitted by M Riasat, was refused by the Council in 2020, with officers saying: “the applicant has not complied with the approved plans as the roof has been raised to accommodate an additional storey of accommodation.

A photo of the property included in the 2021 enforcement notice (Image: Bradford Council)

“The unauthorised departures from the previously approved plans has resulted in a dwelling that is higher, bulkier and unduly dominant within the context of the street scene.

“The roof of the original dwelling would have been 2.1 metres high. There is now an addition of 1.6 metres resulting in the ridge rising 3.7 metres above the original eaves line.”

Other similar retrospective applications have also been refused.

An appeal against the refusal was submitted, but dismissed by Government Planning Inspector J Hunter.

They said the increased size of the property “has an unacceptably detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”

The inspector’s report said: “The appellant submits that the proposal forms part of a series of improvements and alterations that have brought the property back into use and points out the history of the property and its past dereliction.

“Whilst I acknowledge the benefits associated with bringing an empty property back into use this does not in itself justify the harm I have identified.”

Issued in early 2021, the Enforcement Notice requires either the demolition of the building, or for extensive alterations to be made to the property so it matches the design that was approved by the Council in 2018.

It gave the owners six months to comply with the notice.

Over five years later, the house remains in place.

The auction listing says: “Interested parties are strongly advised to review the enforcement notice, planning permission and associated information provided within the legal and planning documentation prior to bidding.”