Wellington councillors have demanded that two unauthorised new houses built in the courtyard of the former Ship Inn on Mantle St be demolished.
Planning officers explained that the offending dwellings overlooked neighbours because the height of a boundary wall had been misjudged and that they were built in the wrong place by 2m.
“This is not a developer who has made a mistake,” said Cllr James Hunt. “They’ve done it to get round planning restrictions imposed to protect neighbours. Sometimes you’ve got to call their bluff and get them to demolish and build it right.”
“My reaction is to say knock them down and build it properly,” said Cllr John Thorne.
“We should make a stand and tell them to take it down.”
The town council unanimously recommended to Taunton Deane planners that they use enforcement powers in order to make an example that other developers would take notice of. The two new homes at the front of the old pub are not affected.