Five years after the city issued a building permit on a 6,600-square-foot ‘monster home’ in error, a blunder that has bogged Brampton down legally and ignited tensions between neighbours, the municipality is finally seeking a court order to demolish the unfinished property.

The latest application comes hard on the heels of a court decision earlier this month that awarded a $51,000 payout to the city — the largest amount ever awarded in such a case — after a judge found Ahmed Elbasiouni, owner of 443 Centre St. N., sought to “mislead” the court in his bid to overturn an earlier decision that saw his building permit revoked.

“In light of these recent court decisions, on Wednesday, April 26, the City filed an application with the Superior Court pursuant to the Building Code Act asking for an order that the unfinished house at 443 Centre Street be demolished,” reads an email advising area residents of the notice of application, and that a hearing date is tentatively set for June 6 in Brampton.

Some neighbours say they are anxious to see a resolution to the matter. The home is rundown and dilapidated and an eyesore.

“This has gone on so long. I’m frustrated,” said Peggy Ronayne, reacting to the latest in a drawn-out saga that has divided the community. “I hope something is finally done.”

Elbasiouni has been locked in legal wranglings since 2013 when the city ordered him to demolish the structure, which at one point called for eight bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and about 13,000 square feet of living space.

Residents and councillors have argued the house is bigger than what was allowed under the city’s zoning bylaws.

Elbasiouni has maintained since his building permit was issued in 2012 that he followed specifications laid out in technical drawings approved and signed off by city building officials.

In 2013 city staff admitted to council that the permit was issued in “error,” but nevertheless, the city tried to revoke the permit and ordered that the structure be demolished.

Despite lingering questions regarding the city’s handling of the matter, local officials have not revealed how exactly the error occurred, nor what safeguards have been put in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again.