Planning breach proves costly for Dilhorne man

Breaching planning controls has cost a Dilhorne man almost £7,000.

Andrew Walley, of Tickhill Lane, Dilhorne was found guilty following a trial when he appeared before magistrates in Newcastle on Monday. He was fined £275, including a victim surcharge of £25, and ordered to pay Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's legal costs in the sum of £6,625.20.

The case was brought by the Council following Mr Walley's failure to comply with an enforcement notice issued in December 2014 for unauthorised change of use of land and undertaking work without planning permission.

Councillor Edwin Wain, cabinet member for planning, development and property at the Council, said: "Whilst we are pleased that the court supported the Council's view that planning control was breached, action of this nature is only taken as a last resort when the breach is considered unacceptable and harmful to public amenity or interests.

"I hope that this sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate planning breaches and would remind everyone that the Council's planning service can offer professional advice to anyone considering a building project - large or small - in the Moorlands so it is always worth talking to us before undertaking any work."