Tilsworth landowners fined for planning breach
Thursday, 6 July 2023
After nearly 5 years the previous owners of a piece of land in Tilsworth have been fined for failing to comply with our planning enforcement notice.
Mr Anthony Fitzharris and Mr Patrick Fitzharris had a visit from us, after we were alerted to the land not being operated and developed according to the planning consent given.
Planning enforcement notices were served in September 2018 and, following a lengthy appeal process, the appeal against the enforcement notices was dismissed and the Planning Inspector extended the compliance period of the enforcement notice.
The enforcement notice required the removal of the excess hardstanding and the additional mobile homes from the site. As both defendants did not comply with the enforcement notice within the required time period and initially, they failed to attend court on three occasions, a warrant was granted for their arrest.
The case was heard at Luton Magistrates' Court on 13 June, and despite the fact that owners had finally complied with the enforcement notice, the defendants entered a guilty plea and were jointly fined £1,600 and ordered to pay costs of £1,140 and a victim surcharge of £160.
Councillor Ford, our Executive Member for Executive Member for Highways and Waste said:
This is an example of a very lengthy planning enforcement process, but when necessary and proportionate we will use our planning enforcement powers to pursue those who work outside our planning rules, no matter how long it takes, we will bring them to justice.
We take planning enforcement extremely seriously and we will ensure community concerns about unauthorised developments are heard, listened to and when possible, action taken. Planning rule are in place for everyone’s benefit.