A FARMER from Wolvey has been fined £2,000 after breaching an order to stop building new property on his land.
John Mac secured planning permission in April 2014 for the development of a stable block, feed rooms and riding area on land at Spinny Farm in Withybrook.
But in February last year, the council’s planning enforcement team received a tip-off which said the stables were not fit for the permission he received.
The following day a planning officer arrived on site and confirmed the building had been built larger than originally agreed by the council.
An enforcement notice was served on Mr Mac, ordering him to make changes to the new stable block or have it demolished, along with a stop notice prohibiting any further work on site.
Another officer returned to the site in October to find a workman fixing tiles to the roof of the stable block – breaching the stop order.
When the officer contacted the workman’s company, it confirmed Mr Mac had instructed the firm to carry out the work, breaching the stop notice.
Mr Mac pleaded guilty to breaching the council’s order at Nuneaton’s Warwickshire Justice Centre on Tuesday January 6.
Magistrates fined him £2,000 and he was ordered to pay £316 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.
Mr Mac is set to appeal against the enforcement notice, saying he was unaware the development was being built in breach of planning permission.
Speaking after the hearing, Rugby Borough Council development spokeswoman Coun Heather Timms said: “We investigate all suspected breaches of planning permission and stop notices help protect the integrity of the planning process.
“We understand navigating the planning process can be complicated, so our planning team offers free advice to all prospective applicants.
“By talking to us first, you can save time and avoid making costly mistakes.”
Call 01788 533759 or email [email protected] to speak with the planning team or to report suspected breaches of planning permission.
