BROTHERS Leslie and Christopher Webb have been given three months to remove an underground fuel tank and dig up a hardstanding on their land at Badgers Hill, Sheriffs Lench.

The order was made by Government inspector Paul Garnham who dealt with appeals by the brothers against separate enforcement notices issued by Wychavon Council last May and June.

Mr Garnham said he did not accept that the fuel tank was a replacement for an earlier tank, though there was evidence of the existence of fuel tanks on another part of the site.

Neither did he accept that the fuel tank was used in connection with a workshop on the land. During the inquiry at Wychavon Civic Centre it was alleged that the fuel tank and dispensing equipment were installed to supply a transport depot illegally operated from the site by Ivory Plant Hire Limited, which itself is the subject of a separate enforcement notice from the council.

Mr Garnham said: "The extended hardstanding in itself is not a particularly prominent item of development. Nevertheless it has been formed at the expense of what was previously a green area, whether grass or natural undergrowth. Furthermore the visual amenities of the local area have already been significantly blighted by the presence of an unsightly collection of vehicles, materials and equipment."

He added that nearby trees had been lost and the difference between the appearance of the general area now and that shown on a 1999 aerial photograph was only too clear.

Mr Garnham dismissed claims that the hardstanding was necessary as preparation for the removal of mobile offices to another site.

No planning permission had been sought to relocate the buildings and talk of selling part of the land to Ivory Plant Hire Limited was not borne out as the firm was in liquidation.

Jack Hegarty, head of planning at Wychavon, said: "The matter has taken a lot of council resources, but the decision of the inspector is a vindication of the council's commitment to protect our rural areas from inappropriate development which causes great concern for the local community."