A man who built a ‘palace’ in place of a house, has a temporary reprieve as council plans to pull the building down have been halted for the case to go to full trial.

Earlier this month Medway Council contractors turned up outside Raj Ram’s property in Goldsworth Drive, Strood, with a bulldozer, ready to demolish the huge home.

They claimed it was built taller, and with more bedrooms than his original planning permission allowed.

The direct action came after a five-year battle between the council and Mr Ram.

After hundreds of complaints by neighbours he was served an order in 2012 to comply with the original plans.

This was upheld by the planning inspector, but Mr Ram refused to take this action. He was fined £1,000 and continued to carry out further work.

He was granted an emergency injunction when the demolition team turned up at his door and now the case has been adjourned for a trial.

Vicky Nutley, representing the council said at Medway County Court: “The council’s position is unchanged. As far as we are concerned the property cannot be brought to the planning specifications.

“We are requesting the prohibition of direct action be lifted and we go ahead with that action.

“We had a site visit on May 28 to set out these issues and they were not addressed. That was really the last chance saloon.”

The house is just one of four Mr Ram has built on the site, but this one is substantially larger than the rest and has been nicknamed by neighbour’s as Raj’s Palace.

Mr Ram was not present due to his health problems including obesity and diabetes, said his representative Juan Lopez.

After some legal debate Judge Barbara Cameron, presiding, said: “There is a real lack of trust and honesty going forward here.

"It seems to be that the status quo must be maintained.

"I don’t want to do anything to muddy the waters. It needs a proper trial with experienced representation.”

A two-day trial is to be set, but Judge Cameron said to the court “you may have a long wait” for it to happen.

If the court rules in favour of the council and planning inspector, the demolition and clean-up is estimated at £94,000.

That would be recouped from Mr Ram, as well as the court costs from the trial.