Clair Birch, 59, from Worcester, England, has been ordered by Worcester City Council to demolish a two-storey annexe she constructed for her disabled daughter. The structure, which cost £170,000, was built in the garden of Birch's semi-detached home. The council refused planning permission for the annexe, which replaced an existing garage and outbuilding, in November 2025.
Birch retrospectively submitted plans for the one-bedroom annexe in March of the previous year. Following the refusal, she appealed the decision, but the appeal was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate on February 16. A separate appeal to extend the compliance period for demolition was also rejected on August 12.
Birch stated she had believed all necessary paperwork was submitted and that she had the relevant permissions since June. She mentioned that a previous builder had taken £70,000 and left the property unstable. The annexe was intended to provide her daughter with greater independence, including a second floor due to a phobia of being on the ground floor at night. Birch also claimed neighbours were aware of the construction and that the existing structure was already substantial, with no significant increase in size.
Neighbors, however, complained that the annexe appeared without planning permission and was situated very close to their properties. One neighbor described it as a "building within a building" and noted it overhangs their property. Concerns were also raised about damage to neighboring properties during construction and the potential for the annexe to be used as a separate dwelling, with one neighbor stating it was listed as an Airbnb on the planning application at one point.
Planning inspector Sarah Hanson acknowledged Birch's concerns regarding her daughter's living arrangements but stated that personal circumstances do not change the planning merits of the development. Hanson concluded that six months was a sufficient period to remove the unauthorized building and associated materials, noting that the local authority has the discretion to extend the compliance period if necessary. Birch now has until February 2027 to either demolish the annexe or make changes to comply with the council's requirements.
