Residents' delight as developer must rebuild Humberston Avenue home

HUMBERSTON Avenue residents have spoken of their delight at news developers will be forced to rebuild a £500,000 family home that was illegally knocked down earlier this year.

Enforcement action taken by North East Lincolnshire Council has now resulted in an order being made for number 54 to be rebuilt in accordance with its original plans within six months of July 15.

The owners have also been summoned to appear before Grimsby Magistrates' Court later this month for the alleged removal of a protected ash tree and an alleged breach of building regulations at the same property.

The "49-minute" demolition of the large home caused an outcry in March this year, after bulldozers moved in just days after the property was purchased – and without planning consent in place.

The story of the "disappearing home" hit the national headlines as residents spoke of being "disturbed" by the "ruthless demolition" and the property's previous owners Peter and Jennifer Watts revealed their distress at what had happened to their once-beloved residence.

Speaking at a public consultation shortly after the demolition, Ross Hewson, the son of landowner Stuart Hewson – who wants to build 400 homes on land behind the site where the three-storey property stood – told the Grimsby Telegraph they were behind the demolition.

However, a spokesman for NELC said the action had been unlawful, as it was done without prior notification of the intention to demolish the house, in breach of planning regulations.

Today, spokeswoman for Humberston campaigners Save Our Fields, Nikki Hale, said the group was "delighted" NELC had taken action.

She said: "Anything less would have been met with total outrage from residents.

"We have to demonstrate, not just to these developers, but to developers everywhere, that planning rules are there for a reason and they are not to be flouted and abused as they were in this case."

Financialman, commenting at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, added: "Well done the council. Please go and target some of the landlords whose property are a disgrace for the tenants and neighbours sake."

The site's owners have now been given the chance to appeal against the decision. They declined to make a comment.