Man in tarmac row must pay a £3,000 fine (From Worcester News)

Man in tarmac row must pay a £3,000 fine

5:30pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A MAN has been fined £3,000 for breaching planning regulations at a traveller site.

Leonard Butler, who owns a paddock at Bywater Farm, Upton Warren, near Wychbold, pleaded guilty to breaching an enforcement notice after laying recycled tarmac on the land.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, the Butler family were initially denied planning permission in 2006 to have their caravan on the paddock.

Butler and his wife Kathleen won a temporary reprieve after a planning inspector said they could stay until another site became available.

A High Court judge later removed the consent but a Court of Appeal decision in June 2008 reinstated it after the family argued they and their two children faced homelessness if removed.

Last year Butler was told by Wychavon District Council he was not allowed to continue laying hard standing material on the land as it is in a green belt area. Butler ignored the advice and was then served with an enforcement notice requiring him to return his land to its original state.

The 34-year-old had initially pleaded not guilty but admitted the charge before a trial began at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Butler was fined £3,000, ordered to pay £1,200 costs and 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.”

Butler must remove the tarmac by Thursday, April 1.