A council’s enforcement action over the unauthorised use of a former hotel has been backed by a planning inspector.

The establishment, the George in Baldock, had been changed from a hotel to 21 unauthorised residential flats, a council statement confirmed last Friday.

Action had been taken mainly because those living in the flats were residing in sub-standard accommodation.

Following the investigation by North Herts Council’s Planning Enforcement team, an enforcement notice had been distributed to stop the property’s unauthorised use, with the independent planning inspector revealing that this had been concealed from the local authority for more than four years.

Owners of the property appealed the notice, but the inspector rejected the application for costs and provided grounds that the council had not acted unreasonably in investigating the unauthorised use.

The enforcement notice mandated that the unauthorised residential use of the building must end, as well as requiring the kitchenettes in the rooms to be removed.

As part of the inspector’s decision to uphold the notice, the conditions must be met within six months. The council has also confirmed that it will ‘continue to take firm action where these rules are breached’.

Cllr Donna Wright, Executive Member for Place at North Herts Council, said: ‘Where a development is built, or where a building is being used without the necessary planning permission, we will investigate and act where needed. We're pleased the Planning Inspector has supported the council's position.

‘The decision demonstrates that planning rules matter and reinforces the importance of planning enforcement in protecting residents and local communities.’