You receive a complaint from the chairman of a local conservation group about some works that appear to be taking place at a Grade II* listed building. You check the Council’s records and note that no applications for listed building consent (or planning permission) have been submitted for the property. 

 

You make a site visit and note that the following works have taken place: 

 

·        All the original floor tiles have been removed from the kitchen, and are smashed into tiny pieces in the front garden; 

·        The original fireplace has been removed from the chimney breast, but is still intact; and

·        An extension is being constructed to the rear of the property (and it is not permitted development).

 

You administer the formal caution to the builders on site, and ask them who instructed them to carry out the work, but they refuse to answer.  As you are preparing to leave the site, the owner returns home and appears to be shocked at the extent of the work that has taken place. When cautioned, she becomes hysterical and claims that she never instructed the builders to smash up the tiles – they were only removed to install under-floor heating and were supposed to be returned to their previous position. She claims it was an honest mistake and that she was trying to get the works finished quickly as her partner is expecting a baby. She is extremely distressed at the prospect she may have committed a criminal offence and pleads with you not to take the matter further. 

 

Upon returning to the office you immediately speak with the Council’s conservation officer, who explains that the floor tiles were an extremely rare example of 19^th century decorative tilework and that it would be impossible to get hold of suitable replacements. They also strongly object to the extension, claiming that it has a detrimental impact on the listed building and is of an extremely poor design.  

 

You get back to your desk and resolve to make a cup of tea after your busy morning, but then your phone rings - it is the conservation group again.  They claim that the builders have now resumed work, and have started to demolish part of the front elevation.