Court Success for Council

Wychavon District Council has secured more success in court, this time with a successful prosecution after planning laws were breached.

Mr Leonard Butler (34) of Paddock 1, Bywater Farm, Crutch Lane, Upton Warren, pleaded guilty to breaching an Enforcement Notice in relation to the laying of extra hard standing material on his land.  This was after being advised by the Council that he was not allowed to do so.

Mr Butler ignored the advice and continued to lay hard standing and was consequently served the Enforcement Notice requiring him to return his land to its original state.

Having ignored the Enforcement Notice court proceedings followed.  At the first hearing Mr Butler pleaded not guilty and so the case went to trial.

On Thursday 11 March, the case was heard before Worcester Magistrates, who fined Mr Butler £3,000, awarded the Council £1,200 costs and also applied a £15 victim surcharge.

Councillor Judy Pearce, Executive Board Member for Planning, said: “Wychavon will not tolerate breaches of planning policies that protect the green belt, and I hope this successful prosecution will be a warning to everyone not to carry out works without seeking advice and permission from the Council’s planning department first.” 

Léonie Woodward, Solicitor at Wychavon District Council, said: “The Magistrates were quite clear in condemning Mr Butler’s actions and for failing to work with the Council on this matter.  We will continue to be tough on those people who breach planning guidelines and ignore Enforcement Notices, as it is their actions that damage the environment and the beautiful landscape that surrounds our towns and villages.”

Mr Butler will be given 21 days to complete the removal of the hard standing.