A doctor who built a colossal ‘mega-garage’ next to his tiny riverside cottage has been ordered to tear it down after a years-long planning battle exposed glaring holes in his claims.
Dr Martin Rooke constructed the vast L-shaped structure beside Meadow Cottage, near Warwick, without planning permission, insisting it was needed to house a collection of classic cars.
But in a decision dated March 30, 2026, a government planning inspector dismissed his appeal and ruled the building must be demolished within nine months.
The enforcement notice at the centre of the case was originally issued on August 14, 2018 following the council’s failed attempts to take action in October and November 2016 – both of which were withdrawn due to technical errors.
A site visit was carried out on February 5, 2026, before the final ruling was handed down weeks later.
At the heart of the row is the sheer scale of the development. Meadow Cottage is a modest two-bedroom home with a footprint of just around 70 square metres, yet the outbuilding beside it sprawls across approximately 367 square metres – making it more than five times larger than the house itself.
The inspector found the structure had become ‘by far the dominant building on the land’.
Dr Rooke argued the building was intended for a gym, workshop and garaging for a collection of classic cars, with its design of ten large garage-style openings suggesting space for up to ten vehicles.
But the reality on site told a very different story, as the ruling stated: ‘Only one car is currently garaged in the building and no evidence whatsoever of a classic car collection has been provided.’
The inspector also noted the ‘apparent lack of any such use in all the time the building… has been available’.
The site, which lies in the area’s Green Belt, had been the subject of complaints – pointing to concern about the scale and nature of the development.
While the documents do not spell out each objection in detail, the inspector made clear there were ‘public interest considerations’ in taking enforcement action, particularly given the size of the structure and its setting.
The case has a long and tangled history stretching back years.
Early enquiries between 2008 and 2013 suggested far smaller outbuildings were being considered, including garages, a pool and storage, and in May 2011 Dr Rooke had been warned that continuing works without permission would be at risk of enforcement action.
Despite this, the massive structure was erected, leading to repeated enforcement attempts before the 2018 notice that ultimately led to this appeal.
Dr Rooke argued the building fell under permitted development rules, claiming it was incidental to the enjoyment of the home, but this was firmly rejected.
The inspector concluded that the scale of the building, along with its extensive storage and office space, went far beyond what could reasonably be expected for a small cottage.
The ruling stated: ‘It has not been demonstrated that the building… was required for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of Meadow Cottage.’
With the appeal dismissed, the enforcement notice now stands in full, meaning the sprawling outbuilding must be demolished and all resulting waste removed from the land within nine months.
Dr Rooke offered no comment when approached by the Daily Mail.
Warwick District Council has been approached for comment.
