Homeowners fall foul of planning laws and are forced to tear down £650k mansion

The couple had flattened an existing building on the site and sent off plans to Midlothian Council.

They had already started construction work when the retrospective planning application was rejected.

Officials said that the "hipped" roof above the garages at the property was deemed harmful to the character of the local area and recommended its removal.

The Allans, owners of a coach business, requested additional time to address problems with the property, arguing that the issuance of a building warrant signalled their approval to proceed.

However, they later received an enforcement notice urging them to make changes or demolish the property by last summer.

The 55-year-old and 51-year-old missed deadlines in a bid to try and overturn the decision.

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The duo went to the Scottish government to try and save the house as they faced bills of more than £100,000 to change plans and had already blown £16,000 in fees in the development battle.

But, they were told their latest attempt to save the house was invalid - so must be demolished.

In their appeal to the government, the Allans said: "The extension/alteration is restricted to being above existing garaging, follows existing planes of symmetry, and will have finishes to match the existing dwelling.

"The extension/alteration is to the upper floor only.

"There will be no consequences for the privacy of others, and no increase in overshadowing as the ridge and building lines will not be breached."

A Midlothian Council spokesman said: "The owners of the unauthorised erected dwellinghouse submitted a planning application for alterations and extension to upper floor and roof of dwellinghouse, but because the host dwellinghouse didn’t have planning permission Midlothian Council as the local planning authority declined to validate the application and as a consequence declined to determine the planning application.

"The applicant disagreed with this approach and appealed the decision in June 2024.

"The appeal was dismissed by a Scottish Government Reporter on 2 October 2024.

"The dwellinghouse on the site remains unauthorised and is subject to formal enforcement proceedings."