Breach of planning rules leads to a hefty fine
Magistrates in Aldershot have fined a Winchester resident for failing to comply with two Planning Enforcement Notices issued by Winchester City Council.Graham Lailey, of Upper Wield near Alresford, was fined a total of £4,300 and was also ordered to pay the City Council’s legal costs of £4,700.
The Enforcement Notices related to the unauthorised construction of a steel framed building and the erection of a four metre high bund made from waste materials.
Mr Lailey had initially contested the case but later changed his plea to guilty. The unauthorised works were carried out at a waste recycling business that he operates from a site in Upper Wield known as Barton Farm Industrial Estate.
Although Mr Lailey has since complied with the requirement to demolish the original bund, the Magistrates ruled that he was too slow to undertake the works, as a Planning Inspector had already given him an extended period during which to comply.
The steel framed building remains in situ and Mr Lailey advised the court that he was in the process of submitting plans to Hampshire County Council to retain the building and use it to ‘de-pollute end of life vehicles’.
A spokesman for Winchester City Council said: “The planning merits of these works were fully considered by a Government appointed Inspector, who agreed with the Council that they should be removed. Mr Lailey was given every opportunity to comply with the enforcement notices but he failed to do so within the specified time scales.”
Cllr Keith Wood, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Access, added: “This case sends out a clear message that the Council will not tolerate blatant breaches of planning rules. The Planning Enforcement Team is continuing to pursue these types of cases, and those who fail to comply with Enforcement Orders are likely to face large fines.”