A RETIRED architect who has spent the past four years battling to save a bungalow constructed illegally in his back garden says the episode has wrecked his life.

Nigel Cowell has been to court, applied for planning permission numerous occasions and on Tuesday gave evidence to a planning inspector at Oxford Town Hall for a second appeal in relation to the building in Mill Lane, Marston, Oxford.

During the hearing he conceded that he wished he had sought permission before undertaking the project, which has cost him tens of thousands of pounds.

He said: “This thing has wrecked my life for several years and it has been phenomenally expensive.

“I deeply regret having built this before getting planning permission and there is no question I made a huge mistake. It has significantly damaged my life.”

Mr Cowell, 65, was granted planning permission for a garage in February 2005, but instead constructed a one-bedroom bungalow.

After refusing to alter the building to the original plans, he demanded the issue be heard in court — but was found guilty of failing to comply with an enforcement notice and ordered by Judge Christopher Compston to make the adjustments.

When he returned to Oxford Crown Court for sentencing, it was found he had removed the kitchen and bathroom, but failed to alter the height of the structure.

He was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 costs.

A further application to retain the facade and roof of the building, to be used as an annexe to the main house rather than a separate dwelling, was thrown out by Oxford City Council in September 2008 and an enforcement notice was issued ordering him to demolish the structure.

On Tuesday, he appealed on the grounds that the enforcement notice was not valid as the building was no longer used as a dwelling, that it was unduly severe and that he disagreed with the reasons for refusing the application.

His representative, Arron Breedon, said: “It comes down to punishment rather than remedial action. Other steps could be achieved to make the development more acceptable.”

He proposed false garage doors could be installed, which would go over the top of existing double doors and windows, instead.

Mr Cowell said: “In my view this actually looks much nicer than garage doors, which is why we are really trying to keep this building as it is.

“The proposal is a compromise that I am prepared to do in order to put an end to this thing.”

Council officers said they would prefer for the structure to be removed altogether and made an application for costs.

Senior planning officer Andrew Murdoch said: “The council does not feel it is an appropriate step.”

The planning inspector is set to make his decision within seven weeks.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk