Mechanic ordered to pay almost £6,000 for ignoring planning notice
Wednesday 21 June, 2023: An Uxbridge mechanic has been ordered to pay more than £5,800 after failing to demolish a single storey extension that had been built without planning permission.
The court was told how the council had issued the enforcement notice on 14 April 2022, after the council's planning inspectors found the single storey unit that was being used for car repair/maintenance and residential purposes.
The notice required compliance by 26 August 2022, but a follow-up inspection by the council on 31 August 2022 showed no works had been done and the building remained, the court heard.
The council felt the unauthorised building caused harm by damaging the street scene and having an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the residential area.
The court was told in mitigation that Khan was of limited means and wanted to pay any fine in instalments.
Sentencing, the bench told Khan: "We've noted that the non-compliance has gone on for a period of time but, we have also taken into account your means. This is a serious matter and it's a protracted period of illegal activity and we are going to mark it by way of a fine of £2,000."
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "This is another brilliant result for our planning enforcement team and shows that we refuse to do nothing when people ignore the rules that everyone else has to follow.
"Planning rules help us maintain pleasant communities and prevent over-development, so this hefty fine should serve as a warning that those rules must be followed, or we will take action."
Khan was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £800 and the council's prosecution costs of £3,073.30, along with the fine, at a rate of £200 per month.