PEOPLE are being reminded not to start building work on their homes until they have planning permission.

The reminder comes as one householder in Beverley Avenue, Sidcup, was forced to demolish work already begun on an extension to his house.

He had applied for planning permission in May, to build a first floor rear extension to his terraced house, but in June, before permission had been granted, the council received a complaint that work had already begun.

The owner and his builder were told by the council not to do any more work on the extension and council officials who visited the house warned planning permission was likely to be refused.

When worked continued a stop notice was issued and the extension work has now been demolished.

Planning committee chairman Councillor John Fuller said: “The council will not hesitate to take such action again if planning rules are ignored.”