HOMEOWNERS who “filled in” a balcony without planning permission will have to remove it after council bosses said enforcement was “justified”.

Southend Council’s development control committee has sanctioned enforcement against the work to form a rear extension by enclosing a first-floor balcony at 11c Palmeira Avenue, Westcliff in a locally listed building which is within the Leas Conservation Area.

Planning officers investigated the work after receiving a complaint in 2022. A retrospective planning application was subsequently refused. An appeal to the planning inspectorate was dismissed in September last year.

Planning officers said the owner of the flat “did not commit to a way forward that would effectively remedy the breach of planning control and associated harm”.

A report to the committee said: “The loss of the characteristic balcony and the form and design of the rear extension have introduced an unsympathetic and incongruous feature to the detriment of the character and quality of the original dwelling and harm the character and appearance of the terrace and The Leas Conservation Area.

“This harm is less than substantial but nevertheless significant in degree and is not outweighed by any public benefits.”

Supporting the enforcement action, councillors unanimously agreed the removal of the infill.

Speaking at the meeting a planning officer said: “In 2022 an application seeking to regularise the breach of planning control was submitted and refused.

“The application was refused because of the loss of the characteristic balcony and the form and design of the rear extension having produced an unsympathetic and incongruous feature to the detriment of the character and quality of the original building resulting in harm to the character of the terrace and the Leas Conservation Area and the wider area.

“No efforts have been made to date since the appeal decision to remedy the breach. Taking enforcement action in this case is justified and officers recommend members authorise the enforcement notice.”

Councillors voted unanimously to support enforcement action. The householder will have three months to remedy the unauthorised work.