A controversial six-bedroom mansion in High Wycombe is still standing despite being ordered to be demolished by the council.

As previously reported by the Free Press, the sprawling property on Marlow Road was found to have been built larger than approved plans and deemed “unneighbourly and overbearing” by planning officials.

An enforcement notice was issued by Buckinghamshire Council requiring the homeowner to either demolish the building or scale back a two-storey rear extension. A subsequent appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was dismissed in November, with an inspector concluding the development caused harm to neighbouring living conditions.

The deadline to comply with the notice has now passed, but the property remains in place.

Marlow Road, High WycombeThe previous property that stood on the site of the new six-bed home on Marlow Road, High Wycombe (Image: Google Maps)

The case has since attracted national attention after being picked up by the Daily Mail.

According to the publication, building work was still ongoing at the site this week, with windows boarded up and a van parked outside.

Neighbours told the Daily Mail the house has become an “eyesore” and claimed it blocks light from nearby gardens. One resident said it appeared some people believe they can “do what they want” and hope the council “won’t notice”.

Another described the property as being out of keeping with the rest of the street, adding that when they carried out their own extension, planning rules were strictly enforced.

A view from the neighbours garden of the house on Marlow Road (Credit: Buckinghamshire Council)A view from the neighbours garden of the house on Marlow Road (Credit: Buckinghamshire Council)

The publication also reported claims from the owner’s planning agent that the larger extension may have been the result of a builder “misreading the plans”.

Some residents also questioned planning decisions in the area, pointing to a larger nearby property that was granted permission, with one neighbour suggesting there may be “one rule for some and another for others”.

Meanwhile, Buckinghamshire Council has reiterated it will take further action if necessary.

Planning chief Peter Strachan told the Free Press last month the property was not built in accordance with the approved plans, and confirmed that both a retrospective application and a second planning application had been refused.

He added that the council will assess its next steps and make “full use” of its enforcement powers if the breach of planning control is not resolved.

Following a site visit last year, the inspector concluded that the property is 'imposing' and 'overbearing' to the neighbouring property, causing a 'harmful loss of outlook' for those living next door.

In a decision notice, the inspector added: "I have found that the proposal results in harm to the living conditions of the occupiers of a neighbouring property.

The harm arising from the proposal would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the limited benefits of the delivery of a replacement dwelling, when assessed against the policies in the Framework taken as a whole.

"Therefore, the proposal would not constitute a sustainable form of development in terms of the Framework and does not benefit from the presumption in favour of sustainable development."

In the documents, it says the applicant claimed the council 'failed to consider evidence submitted during the planning application' and failed to take into account an approved development at a nearby property.

The inspector concluded however that the other building did not include a two-storey section at the rear of the building and was therefore not comparable.