Planning laws enforced with new toughness
A man who angered neighbours when he put a 6ft fence around his home has been fined for flouting planning laws.
Neighbours of Stephen Austin complained to Havant Borough Council when he put up the fence around his property in Hulbert Road, Waterlooville.
After an investigation by planning officers at the council he was warned that he must put in a planning application for the fence, or he would face enforcement action.
He failed to take down the fence even when the planning application was rejected.
He then ignored a request to attend a court hearing about the matter on two occasions.
Eventually a warrant was issued for his arrest and he pleaded guilty to breaking planning laws last month.
Portsmouth Magistrates' Court heard how Austin had failed to comply with the council's reasonable time-scales to carry out the work set out within the Enforcement Notice.
He was found guilty under Section 179 of the Town and Country Act 1990 and given a 12-month conditional discharge.
He was told to pay costs of 100 after the magistrates were told he had reduced the height of the fence to the allowed maximum of 3ft 2in, but not within the time period set under the order.
The council is coming down hard on those who are prepared to flout planning regulations.
In particular they have targeted homeowners who leave their homes to rack and ruin – destroying the look of the local area for other residents.
Last month The News reported how Robin Welch was fined nearly 1,000 for not clearing up his front garden in Alten Road, Waterlooville, after repeated warnings from the council.
He now faces 40-a-day fines if he continues to leave his garden a mess
Chris Lyons, the council's Development Services Manager, said: 'Havant Borough Council has a duty to maintain and improve the area and to investigate all complaints we receive.
'Most issues can be resolved without any formal action and taking an individual to court is always a last resort, but one that Havant Borough Council will take when necessary.'
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
