A secret residential flat was discovered at Fourboys Garden Centre in Dursley last week, following a raid by officers from Stroud District Council who suspected all was not as it should be in the business's 'Tool Shed' building.
Originally meant to be used as a single storey structure for business purposes only, the 'Tool Shed' had been built to incorporate two floors, the first of which was being used as flat, fitted out with a fully-furnished bedroom, lounge and tiled shower room. Officers from the council raided the building after receiving a tip off, and following months of suspicion.

Stroud district council's head of planning Phillip Skill said: 'In April, officers had requested access to the first floor, but the owner had delayed access several days. When an officer was finally allowed in, the first floor was sparsely furnished but did contain a fully fitted kitchen and appliances. Additionally, part of one of the rooms had been boarded off and officers suspected that it hid a bathroom. After this visit officers made several further attempts to gain access but were denied on each occasion."

After successfully gaining a warrant from the magistrates court, the officers discovered the flat and its occupants - a couple related to the land owner. According to the council, the owner had put the occupants at significant risk due to the building's non-compliance with regulations such as lack of fire protection and "woefully inadequate means of escape from the flat which involved scaffolding and planks from first floor French doors." As well as this, the building did not appear to have an electrival safety certificate.

Mr Skill added: "It is unusual for a council to seek a warrant to enter premises without notice, however we were concerned about not only the planning issues, but also the fact that the building had not been constructed as a residence should be, and consequently posed a serious safety risk.

"In my opinion, had there been a fire, the occupiers could well have suffered serious injury or even death. When a building is constructed without planning consent, the builder rarely pays any regard to structural and fire precautions either."