A FORMER Lord Mayor of Liverpool is locked in a battle with city planners over a scheme to build a house in his garden.

Cllr Paul Clark lives in a Grade II listed villa in south Liverpool.

He wants to section off part of his extensive garden to build a four-bedroom house with a detached double garage.

In 1998 and 2004, he was given permission for the scheme and has already undertaken some work.

Under the permission given in 2004, Cllr Clark had five years to start work.

But planners believe that Cllr Clark, who works as a barrister from the city’s Exchange Chambers, did not properly comply with conditions before starting work.

“Not only is this a legal matter, but the head of planning believes that this has resulted in some unacceptable impact on existing trees,” a council report states.

“The head of planning does not believe that the 2004 consent is now lawfully capable of being implemented.”

Officials also state that, due to changes in planning policy since 2004, he would now not be eligible for planning permission.

The matter is set to go before the council’s planning committee next week for a final decision.