Planning paperwork failure proves costly

FAILURE to return paperwork requested by the council’s planning department has cost a Kidwelly man more than £1,200.

Stephen Griffiths, of Porth y Castell, Kidwelly, was summoned to Llanelli Magistrates Court for failing to return paperwork as part of a Carmarthenshire County Council planning enforcement investigation on land he owned at The Old Slaughterhouse, in Llansteffan.

As the local planning authority, the council had issued Griffiths with a request for information – called a Planning Contravention Notice – as part of its planning enforcement investigation.

Sent by recorded delivery to his home address, Griffiths was allowed 21 days to respond, but failed to do so.

A further letter was sent giving him another seven days to comply with the notice, but when again he failed to do so, he found himself in breach of Section 171 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Convicted in his absence, he was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, with costs of £122.72 and a £100 victim surcharge.

Councillor Philip Hughes, executive board member for enforcement, said: “When you are dealing with matters enforceable by the law, it is in everyone’s best interest to comply.

“Mr Griffiths was given ample opportunity to respond to a notice concerning the planning enforcement investigation on his land, but failed to do so and it is unfortunate that this has resulted in conviction.”