Man Fined £7.5k by Hillingdon Council for Uxbridge Extension

Key Points

• Saad Ahmad, 44, of The Larches, Uxbridge, and company director of Optimum Asset Investments Limited, fined £7,589 for breaching planning control regulations and failing to comply with an enforcement notice at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 November.​
• His company, Optimum Asset Investments Limited, fined £3,000, plus £1,200 victim surcharge and £3,363 towards Hillingdon Council’s prosecution costs.​
• Ahmad personally received an 18-month conditional discharge and £26 victim surcharge.​
• Unauthorised front extension at 15 Lynhurst Crescent, Uxbridge, including porch and first-floor side room, discovered by council planners on 16 November 2022 following neighbour complaints.​
• Extension described as having “unattractive box-like and blocky outline which is out of rhythm with other dwellings”.​
• Retrospective planning application submitted 2 February 2023, refused by Hillingdon Council’s Planning Committee on 27 March 2023 due to excessive size, poor design, cramped appearance, and non-compliance with borough’s Local Plan.​
• Appeal to Planning Inspectorate dismissed on 26 September 2023.​
• Warning letter issued 10 October 2023 demanding removal within 28 days; instead, amended application submitted 6 November 2023, rejected 8 May 2024.​
• Formal enforcement notice issued 15 August 2024, requiring demolition by 26 December 2024; extension not fully removed as of latest reports.​
• Hillingdon Council continuing to engage with Ahmad ahead of further action.​

Inverted Pyramid Structure

Saad Ahmad, a 44-year-old company director from The Larches, Uxbridge, has been fined £7,589 after hillingdon/hillingdon-council/">Hillingdon Council prosecuted him for constructing an unauthorised extension on his three-bedroom home in West London without planning permission and ignoring orders to demolish it. The case, heard at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 November, also resulted in a £3,000 fine for his company, Optimum Asset Investments Limited, alongside additional surcharges and costs totalling over £7,500. Council officials highlighted the extension’s “unattractive” design as a key factor in repeated refusals, underscoring strict enforcement of planning laws in the borough.​

Who is Saad Ahmad and What Did He Do?

Saad Ahmad, 44, residing at The Larches, Uxbridge, serves as company director of Optimum Asset Investments Limited. As reported in coverage by MyLondon, he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 November, where he pleaded guilty to breaching planning control regulations and failing to comply with an enforcement notice related to an unauthorised extension at 15 Lynhurst Crescent, Uxbridge. The extension comprised a front porch and a first-floor side room, built without the requisite planning consent.​

Council planners first visited the property on 16 November 2022 following complaints from neighbours, as detailed in the MyLondon article. They determined the addition was unauthorised and featured an

“unattractive box-like and blocky outline which is out of rhythm with other dwellings”.

Ahmad informed officers of his intention to submit a retrospective planning application, which he duly filed on 2 February 2023.​

Why Was the Extension Deemed Unacceptable?

Hillingdon Council’s Planning Committee refused Ahmad’s retrospective application on 27 March 2023, citing the extension’s excessive size and poor design, which rendered the home looking cramped and out of keeping with the surrounding area. The decision also noted non-compliance with the borough’s Local Plan. An subsequent appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was dismissed on 26 September 2023, affirming the council’s stance.​

Following the appeal dismissal, the council issued a warning letter on 10 October 2023, demanding the extension’s removal within 28 days. Rather than comply, Ahmad submitted an amended application on 6 November 2023, proposing roof modifications. This revised plan was rejected on 8 May 2024, with officers concluding it still failed to address prior concerns over design and harmony with neighbouring properties.​

What Were the Court Outcomes and Penalties?

At Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 18 November, Ahmad pleaded guilty to the breaches. He personally faced a fine of £7,589, an 18-month conditional discharge, and a £26 victim surcharge. His company, Optimum Asset Investments Limited, received a £3,000 fine, a £1,200 victim surcharge, and was ordered to pay £3,363 towards the council’s prosecution costs. These penalties reflect the court’s recognition of repeated non-compliance.​

When Did Key Events Unfold in the Timeline?

The sequence began with neighbour complaints prompting a council visit on 16 November 2022. Ahmad’s retrospective application followed on 2 February 2023, refused 27 March 2023. Appeal dismissal came 26 September 2023, warning letter 10 October 2023, amended application 6 November 2023, second refusal 8 May 2024, enforcement notice 15 August 2024 (demolition deadline 26 December 2024), and court hearing 18 November. As of the latest reports from MyLondon, the extension remains not fully removed.​

Hillingdon Council states it is continuing to engage with Ahmad ahead of any further action, indicating ongoing monitoring post-court.​

What Does the Council Say About Enforcement?

Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, commented on the case:

“This should serve as a reminder to every resident, landlord or business that the correct procedures must be followed when undertaking construction on a property or hiring contractors.”

His statement, as quoted in MyLondon’s reporting, emphasises the importance of planning compliance to maintain community standards in Hillingdon and Uxbridge areas.​

How Does This Impact Local Residents?

Neighbours in Lynhurst Crescent first raised complaints about the extension in 2022, highlighting concerns over its visual impact on the streetscape. The council’s persistent refusals and enforcement actions demonstrate commitment to preserving the character of residential areas in Uxbridge, a suburb linked frequently in MyLondon coverage.​

Why Follow Planning Rules in Hillingdon?

Hillingdon Council’s actions align with broader borough policies under its Local Plan, which prioritises designs in rhythm with existing dwellings. The case illustrates consequences of unauthorised builds, from fines to demolition orders, serving as a deterrent amid rising property developments in West London. No additional media outlets beyond MyLondon’s detailed account have surfaced in current searches, confirming this as the primary source.