Arun District Council successful in planning prosecution
Arun District Council has successfully prosecuted the owner of a derelict building in Yapton for failing to comply with a Notice served under Section 215 (s215) of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990.
This action follows a lengthy process of communication and failure to meet with conditions set by the Council in regard to The Gates, North End Road, Yapton.
The Planning Compliance Team at the Council first made contact with the owner, Mr Harry Quince, in 2011 and officers spent a considerable amount of time working with him to try and ensure that the necessary work was done voluntarily.
When it became clear that no work had been undertaken or planned the owner was issued with a notice under Section 215 on 19 October 2015. The notice required that improvements be made to the property by fully reinstating the roofs and windows to make it wind and watertight and to improve the negative visual impact the building was having on the area.
Mr Quince was summoned to appear at Horsham Magistrates Court on Monday 12 June 2017 where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. After a short trial he was found guilty and fined £265.00 with an additional £30.00 victim surcharge. The Council was awarded full costs of £849.99.
Cabinet Member for Planning, Councillor John Charles said “This site has been an eyesore for a number of years and anyone that has sat in their car at the Yapton Level Crossing when the barriers are down will be very familiar with it.
“Council officers will always try to work with owners to improve properties and will only take legal action as a last resort. This case has demonstrated how committed Arun District Council is to ensuring that improvements are carried out to buildings across the district whose condition has deteriorated to such an extent that they are affecting the neighbourhood.
“As a result of this approach the Council has successfully encouraged owners to undertake repairs and improvements to both residential and commercial properties in rural areas and town centres and will continue to do so”.