Two property owners linked to a converted guest house on Hill Lane have been fined a total of more than £28,400 after a long-running planning enforcement saga. Jaswinder Aujla, 70, and Dalbir Aujla, 67, of Hornbeam Road, Chandlers Ford, were each ordered to pay £14,204.96 following repeated non-compliance with requirements issued by Southampton City Council.
Background and enforcement timeline
The controversy centres on 56 Hill Lane, where the council says a guest house was converted into self-contained flats without the necessary consents. Southampton City Council first received complaints in November 2017 and served a formal planning enforcement notice on 20 June 2018. The notice required the unauthorised use to cease within three months and for kitchenettes and similar fittings to be removed.
| Key date | Action |
|---|---|
| November 2017 | Council receives complaints |
| 20 June 2018 | Planning enforcement notice served |
| January 2019 | Appeal dismissed by Planning Inspectorate |
| April/May 2019 | Inspections found non-compliance |
| January 2020 | First prosecution; guilty pleas and fines imposed |
| Feb 2022 & May 2023 | Further inspections showed continued breaches |
| 26 June 2026 | Found guilty at trial (second prosecution) |
| 9 July 2026 | Sentencing — final fines ordered |
Council response and legal process
According to council records, the owners appealed to the Planning Inspectorate; that appeal was rejected in January 2019, with a compliance deadline set for 9 April 2019. Inspections in the spring of 2019 indicated the notice had not been followed, prompting a prosecution that led to guilty pleas and initial fines.
Further inspections in February 2022 and May 2023 allegedly showed continued non-compliance. A second prosecution followed; despite not guilty pleas at that stage, both defendants were found guilty at trial on 26 June 2026 and sentenced on 9 July 2026, resulting in the fines announced this month.
"The planning system exists to ensure that development takes place in a way that is fair, safe and balances the interests of property owners with those of the wider community,"
The quotation above is from Sarah Bogle, leader of Southampton City Council, who emphasised that owners were given multiple chances to comply and that the council aims to work with property owners before resorting to prosecution.
What this means locally
For residents and landlords across Southampton, the case highlights several practical points:
- Major alterations that change how a property is used can require planning permission or prior approval.
- Enforcement notices have legal force and missed compliance deadlines can lead to prosecution and substantial fines.
- Appeals to the Planning Inspectorate do not guarantee a reversal of council decisions.
The council's action underscores its role in regulating the use and safety of housing stock and in seeking to protect neighbourhood amenity. For anyone considering conversions or changes of use, the council advises taking formal advice and securing the correct permissions before carrying out works.
Further enquiries about this case or general planning guidance can be directed to Southampton City Council's planning enforcement team.
