Home   Kent   News   Article

Family home faces demolition

The Roles outside their bungalow which faces demolition
The Roles outside their bungalow which faces demolition

A DEMOLITION worker could be ordered to bulldoze his own £600,000 dream retirement home - if he loses his appeal.

Last year the Messenger exclusively revealed how grandfather Roy Roles and his wife Velda could face homelessness after a enforcement order was served by Sevenoaks District Council in October - following months of wrangling.

Determined not to lose the property, Mr Roles who spent £150,000 and dedicated three years of his life to planning and building, has appealed against the order.

He is now anxiously awaiting the outcome of a two day hearing by the Planning Inspectorate - a government body which carries out appeals under planning and environmental legislation.

Mr Roles, who gave evidence at the hearing, may now have to wait up to seven weeks until he finds out his fate.

The 64-year-old, of Church Road, Hartley, said: “It’s been worrying. My wife has osteoporosis and heart problems. It hasn’t done her any good. It is all just added stress.”

The two-bedroom bungalow, which is built on seven acres of green-belt land, first proved problematic when it became clear the basement would not be completely below ground level.

Because the development is built on a slope, the basement is above ground by 2ft in some places and 6ft in others - but planning permission was granted on the basis it would be completely below ground.

If Mr Roles loses his appeal the development, which is considered by the council “to be harmful to the character of the green belt”, will have to be pulled down and the site infilled.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More