A HOUSE which was built without planning permission could be saved from demolition if the owners apply for retrospective planning permission.

The eight bedroom property at New Farm Drive, Abridge was built on Green Belt land and replaced a small, single storey house.

The owners were granted permission in 2004 to build a bigger home but the new two storey building was much larger and of a different design to the approved house.

At the District Council's planning meeting Councillor Diane Collins said: “All members understand that it's a total denial of planning permission and they have gone and built what they don't have planning permission for.”

But Councillor Brian Rolf supported the family who live there saying: “The property is now built, it's an attractive family home where the owners and their two children have settled well.

"The demolition of their home to remedy the situation seems to be a punishment which doesn't fit the crime. It will naturally have a catastrophic affect on their family life not to mention the crippling financial consequences.”

Members decided to delay enforcement action and give the owners four weeks to apply retrospectively for planning permission.

Cllr Collins added: “Then members can decide what do to. But if that doesn't happen then the house will have to be pulled down.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Gilbert who owns the property said it had been very upsetting for her family. She added: “I'm very upset by it all, obviously. But the council has decided that they will consider an application so it doesn't need to be pulled down. "They know we have children and it will have an affect on them. I have had to tell them what's going on, which I didn't want to do. "I'm not prepared to say anything about it at the moment because of the children, but we are just waiting until the next meeting.”