Hefty fine for planning breach

Archived press release

Date Published: 19/10/09

An Aston Clinton resident has been fined £5,000 for failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice.

Mr Mohammed Ilyas, of Aylesbury Road, appeared at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on 13 October.

He pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with Aylesbury Vale District Council’s enforcement notice that required him to demolish extensions to his property that had been constructed without planning permission.

AVDC decided to prosecute because Mr Ilyas had not demolished the extensions despite an unsuccessful appeal to the Secretary of State against the council’s decision to serve the enforcement notice.

Mr Ilyas was fined £5,000 for the offence and was ordered to pay the council’s full costs of £2,455 – meaning the total penalty was nearly £7,500.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “Planning policies are in place to protect the beauty and attractiveness of Aylesbury Vale and so it is vitally important that we take action when they are not adhered to. We are very pleased that the court considered this as a serious case and hope that it will discourage others from breaching planning controls.”

The enforcement notice remains in force and Mr Ilyas is still required to demolish the extensions. AVDC will continue to pursue compliance with the notice.