The owner of a historic property in Brecon has pleaded guilty at Brecon Magistrates’ Court to authorising alterations to a Grade II-listed building without listed building consent. The illegal action involved the removal and destruction of a four-storey 17th century oak open well staircase.
The case was brought by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority against Mahmood Ali from Newport who was fined £1,000 in addition to costs of £2,887.50 awarded to the authority. The stairwell – which dated from late in the reign of Charles II – formed an intrinsic architectural feature of the former Bell Inn. The building is best known as the location where the actor William Siddons proposed to Sarah Kemble during a play held in the great room of the inn in 1773. Mrs Siddons went on to become the best-known actress of her day and is probably Brecon’s most famous daughter.
The Enforcement Officer for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said: “We are extremely pleased to have this successful prosecution under our belts. This was a serious breach of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 and we hope the successful prosecution will send a strong message to building owners and others who consider destroying the historic value of our Listed Buildings and heritage. I would like to thank the members of the public who continue to remain vigilant.”
The building conservation officer for the authority, Will Hughes, said: “Although we have won the case I am extremely saddened that in the process we have lost a truly fine and decorative example of a 17th century oak staircase and part of the Brecon town heritage.” He added: “It goes without saying that the cultural and historic value of listed buildings is of the utmost importance to the national park.”
Seán O’Reilly, Director of the IHBC, the professional body for building and historic environment conservation specialists, welcomed the successful prosecution, but highlighted the problem that ‘A £4000 bill is hardly a deterrent when so much money is at stake for a developer’. He also noted that ‘the IHBC lists prosecutions like this on a volunteer’s database, so any similar cases should be passed on to us for documentation.’
www.ihbc.org.uk
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115316715684.html
http://www.breconbeacons.org/the-authority
/communications-and-media/press-releases/july-2009/national-park-wins-
criminal-prosecution-for-destruction-of-17th-century-staircase/
