An American builder who created a spectacular Grand Designs-style pad carved into a steep railway embankment has been ordered to tear it down – after council officials ruled the stunning structure was built without permission.
Shokat Khan, 55, excavated tonnes of soil from his garden in Bradford to create the three-storey, white-rendered annexe, designed as a home office, games room, gym and rooftop terrace.
The father-of-one said he wanted to ‘bring a slice of California‘ to West Yorkshire with his bunker-like creation, hidden from view by the railway embankment below and visible only to passing trains.
But now, after investing years and more than £50k into the ambitious build, the council has declared the entire project illegal and ordered it to be demolished.
Mr Khan told MailOnline: ‘I was born and raised in California and I wanted to bring a little bit of home over here.
‘I wanted something which was not over-intrusive and wouldn’t spoil the view for the neighbours.
‘Because it’s in a valley that nobody can see, I thought it was perfect. I won’t build it up, I’ll build it down, so you can’t see anything.
‘The building inspector came out in 2008 and gave me the go-ahead, and I never heard anything from the council for years.
A builder who created a spectacular Grand Designs-style pad carved into a steep railway embankment has been ordered to tear it down
Shokat Khan, 55, excavated tonnes of soil from his garden in Bradford to create the three-storey, white-rendered annexe, designed as a home office , games room, gym and rooftop terrace
The American-born father-of-one said he wanted to ‘bring a slice of California ‘ to West Yorkshire with his bunker-like creation, cleverly hidden from view by the railway embankment below and visible only to passing trains
‘There was no suggestion at all that I had done anything wrong.’
Mr Khan’s grand annexe would have cost around £250,000 if built commercially, but he did it all himself – removing lorry loads of vegetation and laying concrete foundations at the foot of the embankment, then building up to garden level where steps lead to a rooftop terrace.
He claims he was reassured by council officials that his project was legal and fell within permitted development rights.
But last August, Bradford Council took enforcement action, demanding he demolish the entire structure within three months.
At a planning committee meeting, council officials slammed the build as ‘incongruous’ and ‘prominent’ – criticising its modern design, white render finish, and the ‘scale, massing and position upon an otherwise undeveloped embankment.’
Planners also criticised the rooftop terrace, claiming it gave users ‘unrestricted views into the most private areas’ of a neighbour’s home.
In a meeting of the authority’s planning committee, officials ruled the build was ‘incongruous’ and ‘prominent’ because of its modern design, white render finish, and its ‘scale, massing and position upon an otherwise undeveloped embankment’.
They added that the rooftop gave users ‘unrestricted views into the most private areas’ of a neighbour’s home.
Mr Khan’s grand annexe would have cost around £250,000 if built commercially, but he did it all himself
He claims he was reassured by council officials that his project was legal and fell within permitted development rights
But last August, Bradford Council took enforcement action, demanding he demolish the entire structure within three months
Despite the backlash, Mr Khan, whose wife works for the NHS, insists he built the annexe to a very high standard, with structural engineer backing.
He claims the council are out-of-time to bring any enforcement action, in any event, because the project was started more than a decade ago.
He said: ‘I’ve gone at least five times over what is stipulated by building regulations. When I build something, I build something where it’s going to last.
‘Bradford’s got buildings that are falling down all over the place.
‘I just can’t get why they are coming after me. It is jealousy? What is it that keeps them having a go at me?
‘I’ve done everything by the book, gone above and beyond. I’ve worked on it after work, digging and building myself.
‘You just want to create something beautiful that’ll be there after you’re gone – and still, you’re treated like you’ve done something wrong.’
Showing Mail Online the unfinished interior – currently used for storage and a makeshift gym – Mr Khan said he had grand plans for the annexe, including a kitchenette, toilet, jacuzzi, and a full-size pool table.
The old train station that now is the location of Mr Khan’s California-style outbuilding
Showing Mail Online the unfinished interior – currently used for storage and a makeshift gym – Mr Khan said he had grand plans for the annexe, including a kitchenette, toilet, jacuzzi, and a full-size pool table
Mr Khan said he believes a neighbour’s complaint was the source of the council’s ire (Pictured: construction phase)
But if he loses an appeal currently being reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate, he faces having to demolish the entire build and restore the railway embankment to its former state.
Determined to fight on, Mr Khan added: ‘I’ve got lawyers. I’ll go all the way. Anyone with sense can see the value in what I’ve built.
‘It’s not intrusive at all. You have to think of people other than yourself. I could have built a granny annexe at ground level which would have been imposing – instead they’re looking at something much nicer.’
He revealed the emotional toll the dispute has taken on him, adding: ‘It’s been two years since I’ve done anything inside. I could get it all finished in five months but I’m too scared to keep on working on in case they make me tear it down for no reason.
‘I’ve felt like jumping off the rooftop because of all this constant harassment from the council.’
Mr Khan said he believes a neighbour’s complaint was the source of the council’s ire.
He continued: ‘It’s one thing to build something for yourself. It’s another thing to build something that the whole area can enjoy.
‘I wanted the neighbours to come over and use the building. I didn’t want it to be a Taj Mahal, where people look from afar but can’t got in.
Determined to fight on, Mr Khan added: ‘I’ve got lawyers. I’ll go all the way. Anyone with sense can see the value in what I’ve built’
Mr Khan said: ‘I was born and raised in California and I wanted to bring a little bit of home over here’
At a planning committee meeting, council officials slammed the build as ‘incongruous’ and ‘prominent’
‘If I’ve got a pool table, come play it. That’s how I’ve always been.
‘It’s just a massive shame it has turned out this way.
‘If they take this to court, I’ll fight it all the way. My insurance lawyers said the same – anyone with a bit of sense will see the value and integrity of what I’ve built.’
Bradford Council defended their decision in a refusal notice, stating: ‘The difficulty with this proposal is that the size of the outbuilding with the amount of floor space over multiple levels is substantial in the context of a private dwelling.’
‘The building is large and the floorspace is utilised over multiple floors, and the local planning authority has not been provided with any details or any explanations as to why such an amount of space for an outbuilding use would be required for that amount of ancillary space.’
