Planning laws: Shaky foundations for grand home leads to decade-long legal battle

Michael and Rose Murray had the dream home in mind, to be built where Michael had grown up. A house double their initial plans was constructed and the family have been living there for over a decade. The only problem is planning permission was never granted, writes Caroline O’Doherty.

THE Murrays didn’t do things by half. When they were refused planning permission for a substantial dormer bungalow in 2006, they went ahead anyway — but the home they built was twice the size of the one denied permission.