Do you want to know what was the conflict between Dewsbury neighbors and a businessman? The main reason behind it was the construction of a mega mansion without permissions, a building that broke with the aesthetics of the neighborhood and altered the daily life of the residents.
Amir Azam was the businessman, director of Stonehouse The Bed Co, and he must completely demolish the building now after an order by the British Planning Inspectorate. For the neighbors, who spent 3 years complaining about this situation, the decision is a relief.
We have seen some previous projects that respect the aesthetic of the environment, which is an important factor for the people who develop them because they want to respect the area. So, let’s find out more about this conflict, shall we?
The beginning of it all
In 2021, Azam bought a plot for around 275,000€ and he decided he didn’t want to keep the existing construction, but demolish it and build a mansion of 16 meters long.
The result? A property way bigger than the rest of the houses in the neighborhood… So, the neighbors soon noticed how the building stood out among the rest and changed the aesthetics of the area. What was a quiet neighborhood became a place dominated by one building, and residents felt their quality of life was compromised.
Why the neighbors complained
Critics from the residents weren’t just about the aesthetic, the Kirkless Council itself pointed out several problems about the mansion:
- A disproportionate visual impact compared to other houses.
- An oppressive presence, blocking light and views.
- Adesign that was disharmonious with the area’s architectural style.
Inspector Caroline Skelly noted that although the new house had a width comparable to others in the area, its extended depth and prominent front gable significantly increased its overall bulk. This exaggerated scale created a strong sense of imbalance, leaving nearby neighbors feeling that their own homes were overshadowed and diminished.
Legal rejection and final ruling
In 2023, Azam tried to fix the problem by asking for permission after the house was already built, but the council said no. The reason was clear: the mansion didn’t fit in with the style of the neighborhood.
When inspector Conor Rafferty reviewed the case, he decided there was only one option: the mansion had to be torn down completely, including its foundations and the two extra buildings in the garden.
The neighbors reaction? They felt they won the war. After years of complaints, justice recognized the harm the mansion was causing to the community.
Consequences for the businessman
So, the ruling gives Azam 6 months to demolish the mansion. How much do you think he would have to spend on this? The demolition and restoration costs could be over 100,000€ that he must pay himself.
Asking the local press, the businessman confirmed he wasn’t aware about the decision and he avoided making any comments about it. In the meantime, neighbors celebrate that they have been heard and Dewsbury can recover its calmness and aesthetics.
Calmness is back
This case shows how when people support each other they can protect their quality of life in a neighborhood. After 3 years, residents complained about the negative effect of the mega mansion: from the aesthetic harm to the loss of harmony on the street. However, now, with the demolition order, they expect to recover the peace in their community and the balance that stood out before the illegal construction.
Sometimes neighbors can be a difficult thing to deal with, but this time residents were fighting for the originality and history of their street. Have you ever found yourself in a conflict with your neighbors? Because it happens more than you think.