Couple fined for breach of law over extension

Mark and Linda Oakes were taken to court after building the two-storey extension at Manor Farm, Riston Road, Catwick, which was more than four feet higher than they had been allowed.

A planning enforcement notice was served back in February 2008, following complaints.

The couple appealed, but their appeal was dismissed by a planning inspector in the November of the same year.

They then had until last May to do remedial work or level the land.

East Riding Council launched a prosecution when the work still had not been done.

They were summonsed to Beverley Magistrates Court last month, where they both pleaded guilty and were fined 2,500 each and ordered to pay 672 each in costs and a 15 victim support charge.

The principal enforcement officer for East Riding Council, Des Simmonds, said: "This decision by Beverley magistrates shows how seriously they take a breach of planning control.

"We did try to resolve this issue with Mr and Mrs Oakes but to date the work remains to be done."

Mr Simmonds said they often got complaints about people not building to their planning permission.

He said: "You have to assess the damage; if there's no harm to anybody we wouldn't pursue it and we would get them to submit a new planning application.

"But the council was not agreeable to this in this case. It is too high and there's a degree of overlooking."

Last year five people in the East Riding were prosecuted for breaching planning laws and were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling 36,000.