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Planning enforcement officials carried out an investigation in response to a complaint that Hiretoken Property Services built the parking area at the front of 136 Crab Lane without permission.

Crab Lane

The property is a Grade II listed building on the end of a terrace of Grade II listed properties in the centre of the Crab Land Conservation Area.

A planning official said: "It is regrettable that the applicant chose to create this hardstanding without first seeking listed building consent.

"The main consideration remains its effect on the listed building and the conservation area.

"Had the applicant applied for consent prior to undertaking the works he would have been guided to amend the scheme to ensure it was completely in accord with the character of the listed building."

The official said the main consideration of this proposal must be whether the parking area is so at odds with the character of the listed building that consent should be refused.

It is accepted the applicant had made some attempt to relate the design to the listed building and the wider conservation area by the choice of paving and brickwork to walls surround the area.

The official added: "With that in mind, it is considered that the hardstanding as build does not significantly detract from the character of the listed building and conservation area."