One of the highest courts in the land has upheld action taken by West Lancashire Borough Council against a resident over breaches of planning laws.

In February 2016 Timothy Edwards, of Bannister House Farm, The Marshes Lane, Tarleton, was ordered to pay £59,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act at Preston Crown Court. He was also fined £3,500 and ordered to pay prosecution costs £6,000 for failing to comply with planning enforcement notices. This was the first criminal confiscation order under the proceeds of Crime Act obtained by the Council. Mr Edwards' wife Susan was also fined £500.

Action was taken by the Council against Mr Edwards and his wife Susan after officers found they were illegally storing a large number of caravans on two fields at their property. The Council advised them that all of the caravans should be removed, but the couple failed to do this despite the enforcement notices, which were served on them, being upheld by an independent planning inspector. The Proceeds of Crime Order of £59,000 reflected the financial benefit gained by Mr Edwards as a result of his continued breach of planning control.

Mr Edwards launched an appeal challenging the fine and confiscation order, claiming both were excessive. But on 23 January 2018 the Court of Appeal in London upheld the sentence given to Mr Edwards. He must now pay the full amount, plus interest on the Proceeds of Crime Act Order of £7,981.

A further hearing is now due to take place at Liverpool Magistrates Court on 28 February; if Mr Edwards hasn't paid he will be questioned as to how he intends to pay and the court could give directions on how he should do this. A default prison sentence of 10 months was set at the time the order was made which can invoked if the court thinks he is failing to pay.

Councillor Ian Moran, Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, said: "The Council welcomes this decision by the Court of Appeal as it shows the authority acted correctly in taking this legal action.

"This case sends out a strong warning and should deter other land owners and businesses from seeking to financially profit from breaches of planning control.

"Be warned! The Council will take the strongest possible action against people who break the law.”

Originally Posted by roving-eye

Court of Appeal back legal action taken by West Lancashire

Borough Council



One of the highest courts in the land has upheld action taken by West Lancashire Borough Council against a resident over breaches of planning laws.



In February 2016 Timothy Edwards, of Bannister House Farm, The Marshes Lane, Tarleton, was ordered to pay £59,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act at Preston Crown Court. He was also fined £3,500 and ordered to pay prosecution costs £6,000 for failing to comply with planning enforcement notices. This was the first criminal confiscation order under the proceeds of Crime Act obtained by the Council. Mr Edwards' wife Susan was also fined £500.



Action was taken by the Council against Mr Edwards and his wife Susan after officers found they were illegally storing a large number of caravans on two fields at their property. The Council advised them that all of the caravans should be removed, but the couple failed to do this despite the enforcement notices, which were served on them, being upheld by an independent planning inspector. The Proceeds of Crime Order of £59,000 reflected the financial benefit gained by Mr Edwards as a result of his continued breach of planning control.



Mr Edwards launched an appeal challenging the fine and confiscation order, claiming both were excessive. But on 23 January 2018 the Court of Appeal in London upheld the sentence given to Mr Edwards. He must now pay the full amount, plus interest on the Proceeds of Crime Act Order of £7,981.



A further hearing is now due to take place at Liverpool Magistrates Court on 28 February 2018. If Mr Edwards hasn't paid he will be questioned as to how he intends to pay and the court could give directions on how he should do this. A default prison sentence of 10 months was set at the time the order was made which can invoked if the court thinks he is failing to pay.



Councillor Ian Moran, Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, said: "The Council welcomes this decision by the Court of Appeal as it shows the authority acted correctly in taking this legal action.



"This case sends out a strong warning and should deter other land owners and businesses from seeking to financially profit from breaches of planning control. Be warned! The Council will take the strongest possible action against people who break the law.”

Last summer I went for a cycle ride in that area and there are many caravans on farm land. Some places were really unsightly.

Originally Posted by said

Last summer I went for a cycle ride in that area and there are many caravans on farm land. Some places were really unsightly.

You may just find that many of those caravans are housing temporary immigrant workers, agree they are unsightly, but until the whole charade of low paid, temporary, very often gangmaster type "employment" is sorted , it will continue.

Some people think that they are above the law, nice to see this smart arse couple brought to heel and made to pay.

Originally Posted by cotton man

Some people think that they are above the law, nice to see this smart arse couple brought to heel and made to pay.

Agree, far too many who think laws only apply to othersb

Originally Posted by silver fox

You may just find that many of those caravans are housing temporary immigrant workers, agree they are unsightly, but until the whole charade of low paid, temporary, very often gangmaster type "employment" is sorted , it will continue.

Tripe.

These are tourers which their owners paid this clown good money to store on his ground. He knew he wasn't allowed to store caravans on there, yet continued to take vans and charge people. He was untouchable for a long, long time but the chickens are coming home to roost now.