West Drayton couple fined more than £6,000 for illegally turning home into skip storage yard
Tuesday 25 February 2025: A husband and wife in West Drayton have been ordered to pay £6,936 after an investigation by Hillingdon Council found their home was unlawfully used to operate a skip hire and commercial waste business, causing significant disruption to residents, despite receiving multiple warnings.
Following resident complaints that heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were frequently accessing the property, the council's planning enforcement team first investigated in March 2023.
It found the property, which has a large amenity space and concrete pathway, was being used for commercial storage, distribution and waste transfer, including the keeping of skips, diggers and construction materials.
The court heard the council served a warning letter on 20 March 2023 giving the owners four weeks to remedy the breach, which was complied with by 14 June 2023.
However, in February 2024, the council received evidence that commercial activity had started again on the site, and subsequently a planning enforcement notice was served on 6 March.
This instructed the owners to stop all business activity, fully clear and restore the land, including the removal of all vehicles, containers, rubbish and materials by 17 May.
However, the court heard that between May and September, the council was notified that the storage of skip containers had continued, and loud HGV movements were taking place in the early hours of the morning or late at night.
A council inspection on 24 September established the notice was still not being complied with and more than 30 skips were on the site.
In mitigation, the court was told that the offence was a mistake, and it was accepted that there had been improper use of the land and would not be repeated.
For breaching planning regulations and failing to comply with an enforcement notice Kulwant was fined £750 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £300. Gurpreet was fined £1,259 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £504.
Their company, EJD Investments Ltd, of which they are both directors, was also fined £1,920, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £768 and the council's prosecution costs of £1,435.
Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, said: "This is a great result for our planning enforcement team who work hard to stop crimes like this, which blight our neighbourhoods, put residents at risk, and disrupt their lives.
"Our planning laws are in place to keep residents safe and protect the environment, and when required, we will take robust action to enforce them."
To report the unauthorised use of land or a planning breach, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/planning-enforcement.
