FLOUTING planning laws cost a Priors Hardwick man a £5,000 fine after he failed to comply with an enforcement notice.
Andrew Baughan, of St Mary’s Close, was prosecuted by Stratford District Council and was also ordered to pay the council’s costs of £424 and a £120 victim surcharge.
Magistrates at Nuneaton Justice Centre heard the council had issued a notice requiring Baughan to stop using his site at the former Edgehill Quarry in Edgehill to store plant, machinery, vehicles, trailers, skips, construction materials and caravans.
He was also advised to remove all such items from the land.
But after he failed to do so, the council began legal proceedings.
It was the second time in three years Baughan had been prosecuted after he failed to comply with the requirements of a separate notice in relation to this same site back in 2012.
Coun Chris Williams, chairman of the district council’s regulatory committee, said: “Cases like this show how important it is to comply with planning legislation.
“They also demonstrate how the district council will not be deterred from taking action, when appropriate.
“If the district council is not getting co-operation it can issue an enforcement notice and people who continue to break these rules risk legal action and significant penalties.”
Ward member, Coun Bart Dalla Mura, added: “This is an important case, which gives people confidence that when there are breaches in planning and other regulations the district council will act on their behalf.
“I congratulate the enforcement team on their rigorous approach to this issue.”
