A man has been fined over £1million after he converted an Ealing home into flats and added an extension without planning permission.
Ali Bahbahani, who lives overseas, continually broke planning rules and then refused to demolish unauthorised extensions at the property in Waldegrave Road.
He has been ordered to pay £1,283,444 for the illegal building works and not complying with orders to cease the use.
Ealing Council had called for the property to be restored to its original condition over the last 10 years.
At first court proceedings against Mr Bahbahani, who lives overseas, were delayed as someone impersonating him had attended initial hearings.
Mr Bahbahani then failed to appear for his conviction at Isleworth Crown Court on January 25.
Ealing Council secured a confiscation order as Mr Bahbahani profited illegally from renting the flats.
As part of the order, the council will recover more than £16,000 in unpaid council tax and business rate bills.
The property in Waldegrave Road has now been bought by a new owner and the council is working with them to resolve the illegal building works carried out at the home.
Ealing Council’s head of legal services Justin Morley said: “This is quite a remarkable case, given the size of the confiscation order.
“It reflects not only the time and hard work that officers invested in this case but also the commitment to go through the proper legal channels.”
The council is working with the management receiver, appointed by the court, to recover all its costs.
Councillor Shital Manro, cabinet member for good growth and new housing, said: “This was a flagrant abuse of the planning system.
“You must make sure you have planning permission for major changes of any sort to your property. Failure to do so will result in court action and, as we have seen, can be very costly.”
