Mgistrates court orders land owner to pay nearly £5,000 and carry out work

A land owner has been ordered to pay £4,950.38 and issued a Remedial Order by Leicester Magistrates’ Court following non-compliance with a Community Protection Notice.

Peter Thomas of New Bridge Road, Glen Parva was first issued with a Community Protection Warning by Blaby District Council back in May 2016, following complaints of his untidy land off Enderby Road, Whetstone (known as Bulls Hit Farm.)

The land contains various broken down containers, vehicle parts, car tyres as well as further piles of bricks, rubble and refuse. Following Mr Thomas’ non-compliance, the Council served a Community Protection Notice in November 2016.

Community Protection Notices require a person or organisation to undertake specific tasks in order to reduce or remove the detrimental effects of their conduct.

The notice served on Mr Thomas required him to remove the waste items, which also included scrap metal, tipped waste and rubber.

He was also required to ensure that once the items had been removed it would not become untidy again. After failure to complete these works, the Council sought prosecution for non-compliance with the notice.

Leicester Magistrates’ Court found Mr Thomas guilty and ordered him to pay a fine of £1,500 and full costs of £3,300.38, as well as a victim surcharge of £150. The court judgement also included granting the Council a Remedial Order, compelling the defendant to carry out the work required as per the Community Protection Notice.

Councillor Sheila Scott, portfolio holder for planning, housing strategy, economic and community development, said: “This is an important prosecution for us. Mr Thomas had a responsibility to ensure his land did not have a negative impact on the quality of life for others in his locality.

“Unfortunately he consistently failed in his responsibilities and as such we had no choice but to prosecute.

“I hope this emphasises how seriously we take untidy land and Community Protection Notices. They are not there to be ignored.”

This is the second successful prosecution for non-compliance of a Community Protection Notice that Blaby District Council has carried out in the space of 12 months.

Residents can report any untidy land in the district by visiting www. blaby.gov.uk/planning.