Islington Council has already demolished a five-story block of flats that was constructed without permission. Image: Eleanor Busby
A report released by the council has shown that 25 enforcement cases are currently in progress, while seven other suspect properties are being reviewed. More than half of these cases relate to ‘known landlords’.
The council has scored an early success with the announcement that the five-storey block of flats on Pembroke Street, which was built without planning permission will finally be demolished
The council has been investigating suspect properties and owners after the BBC documentary ‘The Secret History of Our Streets’ revealed a renowned Caledonian Road landlord had been converting and expanding properties without the council’s permission for decades.
Andrew Panayi, a landlord who owns a number of properties on Caledonian Road, boasted on the BBC programme that he developed high density bedsits and flats by “build first, ask for permission later”.
Mr Panayi’s comments sparked widespread anger among local residents. Last July about 200 people attended a public meeting and expressed their frustration with the council’s failure to act over the years.
Senior officials of the council and local elected councillors set up a team of planners to increase enforcement against the unlawful landlords.
The council has opened more enforcement cases on numerous other properties to ensure new developments do not go awry.
Cllr Paul Convery, executive for community safety and Caledonian ward councillor, said: “I am pleased that, after many years of inaction, the council is now taking a firm enforcement line with a number of property owners in our ward.”