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Babergh District Council has scored another success in its ongoing battle against illegal developments that scar the local landscape.
Yesterday Mr David Bateman the owner of 22 Orwell View Road, Shotley was found guilty of non-compliance with an enforcement notice which required him to remove a near 20 metre high aerial mast that overlooked an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Planning permission had not been sought for this development and after a number of complaints by local residents, Babergh officers visited the site and agreed that the structure dominated the nearby residential estate and detracted from the character of the wider area. For these reasons an enforcement notice was issued requiring the mast to be dismantled and the materials moved off the land.
This decision was challenged on appeal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The Inspector found that Babergh was quite correct to conclude planning permission was required for the mast and as a consequence he dismissed the appeal and upheld the enforcement notice.
At that time the Council expected the mast to be removed from the land before mid July. The owner of the premises however did not fully comply with the appeal decision and as a result Babergh had no alternative other than to take a case to Ipswich Magistrates’ Court.
On 12th December Mr Bateman was found guilty of an offence relating to a non-compliance with the enforcement action and fined the sum of £100. In addition £400 costs were awarded to the Council.
Cate Buck, Babergh's Environmental Protection Officer said after the outcome " we are very pleased with this result as it sends a strong signal to others considering ignoring planning procedures. When developments occur without planning permission, Babergh will take steps to make sure the character of the area is protected”.
The mast has now been dismantled and all materials removed from the site.
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