Businessman who built five-bedroom mansion during Covid is ordered to demolish it – as he didn’t have planning permission

A businessman who built a five-bedroom mansion without permission during the pandemic has been told to bulldoze it after losing a planning battle.

Gareth Wilson completed the property on his Tennox Farm estate near Kilbirnie, Ayrshire in December 2021.

The large sandstone building features a Spanish slate roof and a balcony, while inside there is a spiral staircase.

Tennox Farm also features several business ventures including holiday rental properties. But Mr Wilson failed to submit formal planning permission to North Ayrshire Council before starting work during the pandemic.

Officials ordered him to complete paperwork for the house in March last year but refused to grant retrospective planning permission months later.

A businessman who built a five-bedroom mansion (pictured) in Scotland without permission during the pandemic has been told to bulldoze it after losing a planning battle

Gareth Wilson completed the property on his Tennox Farm estate near Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, in December 2021

Officials said the 1.5 storey building had a ‘negative impact’ on the area and was not in keeping with the ‘established character’ of the countryside

They said the 1.5-storey building had a ‘negative impact’ on the area.

The Coal Authority had also raised fears the property could be affected by past mining and could be at risk of collapse.

Planning authorities ruled that the building would have to be knocked down and returned to its previous state.

Mr Wilson appealed the decision to the Scottish Government but officials have now upheld the council decision.

He claimed the council enforcement was invalid due to a lack of specification and said it was ‘excessive’. He had also insisted the decision was against his human rights.

Planners ruled the building would have to be knocked down and returned to its former state

Documents submitted on his behalf said: ‘Upholding the notice without extending the compliance period would be contrary to the human rights of the appellant, his partner and family members.

‘It is submitted that it would be disproportionate and therefore unlawful to uphold the notice without (at least) extending the compliance period.’

North Ayrshire Council said: ‘It is considered that the development has a negative impact on visual amenity and is incongruous with the established character of the countryside area.’

In a written ruling, government reporter Fortune Gumbo said: ‘I do not consider that there is a genuine housing need issue in play in this appeal as the appellant has other dwellings within the farm.

‘Should alternative accommodation be sought outside the farm, the appellant, by his admission, is of considerable means and this would not be an insurmountable obstacle.

‘The enforcement action proposed does not infringe on the appellant’s (and family) human rights.’

Mr Wilson was approached for comment.