The Cotswold resident of Middle Hill Farm, Saintbury, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to undertaking unauthorised works to a Grade II listed building, reports Punchline.
Punchline writes:
… The case before Gloucester Crown Court was heard in Winchester Crown Court.
Mr Evetts received a 12-month conditional discharge and is required to complete the outstanding works within this time.
He was also ordered to contribute £6,000 towards Cotswold District Council’s costs and pay a victim surcharge of £22…
… Mr Evetts undertook a wide range of works to Middle Hill Farm farmhouse without consent from Cotswold District Council.
The farmhouse is a Grade II listed building dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries and falls within both the Saintbury Conservation Area and Cotswolds Area of Outstanding National Beauty….
Cllr Juliet Layton, cabinet member for planning and regulatory services, said: “Listed building status exists to protect buildings of significant historic and architectural value…
“….Listed building status does not mean no work can take place, but it needs to be done in the right way to protect those buildings…
“.…We will continue to enforce breaches in planning law across the district to protect our unique heritage and preserve it for future generations.”
The prosecution was brought by Cotswold District Council’s planning enforcement team with assistance from both the council’s counter fraud and enforcement unit (CFEU) and legal service.
