A television pundit has saved her dream kitchen extension from demolition after a five-year planning dispute concerning a roof that was six inches too tall. Claudia Hearne, a regular on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine show, faced enforcement action from Hounslow Council over the rear extension of her £1 million West London home, following complaints from a neighbor.
Planning Dispute and Enforcement
The dispute began in 2021 when Hearne and her husband applied to extend the kitchen of their semi-detached house in the Gunnersbury Park Conservation Area. After the extension was completed, concerns were raised about the roof height. The couple claimed that a council planning officer had indicated the revised height would be acceptable during construction. However, the council later issued an enforcement notice in November 2024, demanding the demolition of the extension or its rebuilding to the original plans.
Council planning officers argued that the higher roof created an "unbalanced and jarring" appearance within the conservation area. The Hearnes maintained that the difference was minimal, caused no harm to neighbors, and was necessary to comply with building regulations. Their planning consultants identified at least 174 other houses in the wider conservation area with comparable rear extensions.
Resolution and Wider Concerns
Hearne suggested that the primary objector was a neighbor who had also lodged grievances about other aspects of their property, including a converted garage, approved render, and the type of front door. She stated that the same individual had filed nine objections against their successful application to relandscape their front garden, which later won two local awards.
A government planning inspector ultimately intervened, ruling that the council's demands were excessive. The Planning Inspectorate agreed that a less destructive solution was feasible. Consequently, the Hearnes secured planning permission for the extension to remain, provided a specific corner of the roof is adjusted. This less invasive modification was approved under a newer permission and must now be included as an option in the enforcement notice.
The Hearnes now have six months to comply by carrying out the smaller roof alteration, avoiding the need for complete demolition or rebuilding. Hearne described the ordeal as "years of hell," noting the significant stress and time involved, in addition to potential demolition costs of tens of thousands of pounds. The case has also highlighted broader concerns among residents about what they describe as "inconsistent" planning decisions and enforcement by the council, allegedly driven by a small group of persistent complainants. Residents reported that a significant number of houses on their estate had received late enforcement notices, leading to frustration over what they perceive as overzealous planning enforcement.