Developer counts cost of ignoring planning conditions (From Watford Observer)

Developer counts cost of ignoring planning conditions

3:30pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in News By Adam Binnie, Senior Reporter

A property developer from Chorleywood has been fined more than £20,000 for not adhering to planning conditions.

David Lewis, the owner of 81 Quickley Lane, was given permission in March 2010 to build three two-bedroom homes on the site.

However, he began work before a number of planning conditions had been met.

Three Rivers District Council sent him an enforcement notice in February and demanded the works stop.

However, work carried on at the site and the district council decided to prosecute the developer.

It was discovered that the development was not being built in accordance with the approved plans, the building being wider and higher and with an additional bedroom in the roof space.

Mr Lewis appeared at St Albans Magistrates Court on August 3, pleading guilty to six offences.

He was fined £3,500 for each offence, totalling a £21,000 fine. He was also ordered to pay the council’s costs of £1,556 and a victim surcharge of £15, the total being £22,571.