Mother Faces Homelessness After Council Orders Demolition of £180k Extension
A mother of four is confronting the terrifying prospect of homelessness after her local council ordered the demolition of a £180,000 extension to her family home. Suzie Cavadino, who has lived in her property on Sunnyside in Aughton, near Liverpool, for nearly two decades, invested the substantial sum to replace an old conservatory with a modern two-storey structure.
Extension Built Without Proper Planning Permission
The extension was completed in December 2022 and houses critical components of the home, including the boiler, kitchen, and a bedroom that has been partitioned to accommodate two of Suzie's children. However, West Lancashire Council has now demanded that the entire structure be torn down by the end of April 2026, following a ruling that it was constructed without the necessary planning consent.
Suzie claims that council officers informed her the extension is "out of keeping with the character of the surrounding area," a decision that has left her family in a state of distress and uncertainty. She explained that the builder she hired assured her planning permission would not be required for the work, but the council later contradicted this, sparking a prolonged dispute.
Council and Planning Inspectorate Uphold Demolition Order
In a letter to local MP Ashley Dalton, council assistant director of planning and regulatory services Paul Charlson stated that the authority had provided all available advice and support within the planning process. The enforcement notice was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate, which extended the compliance deadline to 24 April 2026.
The statutory period for challenging the Inspector's decision in the High Court expired on 5 December 2025, meaning the council is now legally obligated to ensure the demolition proceeds. Inspector KA Taylor, in a ruling published on October 24, found that the development causes harm to the character and appearance of the host property and surrounding area, leading to the appeal being dismissed.
Family's Desperate Plea and Practical Concerns
Suzie, who lives with her children aged between 12 and 19, expressed her devastation over the situation. She highlighted that the extension includes essential facilities: "If that goes we will literally be homeless. Upstairs we made an extra bedroom which is partitioned into two for two of my children. If we get rid of that the house is going to be overcrowded."
She also pointed out that the extension has been rendered to match the rest of the property and backs onto fields, posing no issue to neighbouring homes. Aerial photographs suggest the previous conservatory was larger than the current extension, which has been attached to the home for 17 years.
Council's Response and Ongoing Uncertainty
A spokesperson for West Lancashire Council acknowledged the impact on Suzie and her family, stating they have offered practical alternatives and support. However, they emphasized that the independent Planning Inspector's decision is legally binding, and the council must comply.
At present, Suzie remains uncertain about the consequences of missing the compliance deadline, as she is unable to meet the costs of demolishing the extension herself. She fears that if the council proceeds with demolition, her family will be left without a roof over their heads, with nowhere else to live.
The case underscores the severe consequences of planning disputes, where families can face homelessness due to bureaucratic decisions and enforcement actions. Suzie's hope is to at least retain the ground floor of the extension, but as it stands, the council demands its complete removal, leaving her future in limbo.
