A private developer has been ordered to pay a record-breaking £700,000 for building an illegal block of flats in Hoxton.

Garland Development Limited, and the company’s sole director, Yusuf Ahmed Sarodia, born December 1952 and of 43 Upton Lane, London, E7 9PA , were sentenced in November this year after being served an enforcement notice by Hackney Council in 2011 for building the six-storey block of flats without planning permission.

Councillor Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Hackney Council said: “Anyone who thinks they have a right to build a property in Hackney without first obtaining planning permission must realise that the council will take action against those who flout the rules.

“Putting up a building without planning permission is not only breaching planning law, but to be quite frank, puts at risk the safety of residents and neighbouring properties.”

Hackney Council will receive one-third of the confiscation order, with the remaining money split between the Court and the Treasury

At the time of publishing, the property has yet to be demolished.

Hackney Council says it will consider further enforcement if action is not taken.