THE CRACKDOWN on so-called 'beds in sheds' continued last night as action was taken against four illegal developments.
Hounslow Council's planning enforcement sub-committee voted to issue enforcement notices against the owners of the buildings, which were being used as homes without planning permission.
If the owners fail to take action, they could face legal action and heavy fines.
Councillor Steve Curran, chairman of the sub-committee, said: "We're continuing to take action against illegal developments, and these enforcement notices show we aren't prepared to put up with offenders ignoring planning laws.
"Enforcement action is a last resort, but given the volume of cases we are investigating we are now taking action earlier to show we aren’t messing around, and we want breaches rectified."
Enforcement notices were issued against the owners of the following properties:
Three self contained residential units with kitchen and bathroom facilities which had been built at the rear of a property in London Road, Isleworth.
A property in Cranbrook Road, Hounslow, where the owner was renting out an outbuilding as self-contained accommodation with full kitchen and bathroom facilities.
A property in Wesley Road, Hounslow, where an outbuilding had been built for use as self-contained residential accommodation.
An outbuilding behind a property in Burns Way, Heston, which did not have planning permission to be used as self-contained residential accommodation.
The council last month promised to speed up action against illegal development in a bid to tackle the growing backlist of cases, which stands at nearly 1,300.
The council received a £280,000 government grant last May to tackle the issue of 'beds in sheds', which it has spent on extra staff to identify and take action against rogue landlords.
