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Bob Kindred, responsible for the IHBC\u2019s Listed Buildings Prosecution Database<\/em>, said: \u2018The IHBC Listed Buildings Prosecutions Database was created in 1996 to help establish the levels of activity across the UK prior to a high profile case eventually resulting in the successful prosecution of a Member of Parliament for unauthorised alterations to a Listed building.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018This case is the biggest LB prosecution fine we have ever been notified about, once Stelvio House, Newport in 1998 is discounted because that involved a calculation related to a potential gain by the defendants in site value.\u2019<\/p>\n Heidi Pearce, Design and Conservation Officer\u00a0at Westminster City Council said: \u2018The main offences were the demolition of chimneybreasts at basement level, demolition of loadbearing walls at basement level, installation of steel beams, demolition of original wine vaults, removal of an original basement chimneypiece, removal of internal doors\/architraves and installation of suspended ceilings, along with various other works.<\/p>\n The total fine handed down\u2026 was \u00a3162,300. This was split between the leaseholder SGP contracts (\u00a3150,000) and Mr Patel (the owner of SGP contracts) \u00a312,300, plus \u00a310,200 costs split between the two parties.\u2019<\/p>\n Westminster CC writes:<\/p>\n Mr Subir Patel of SPG Contracts Ltd pleaded guilty on 29th<\/sup>\u00a0May 2019 to causing or executing of works to a listed building without the requisite listed building consent.<\/p>\n On 18th<\/sup>\u00a0September, taking into account the seriousness of the offence, Westminster Magistrates Court administered a total fine of \u00a3156, 978 against Mr Patel\u2019s company, and a further personal fine of \u00a315,874.<\/p>\n District Judge Lucie\u2019s ruling agreed with Westminster City Council\u2019s view that his actions were \u2018deliberate\u2019 and \u2018with the intention of causing harm to the heritage asset or in flagrant disregard of the requirement to obtain the necessary consents and\/or advice.\u2019<\/p>\n Mr Patel was advised that he only escaped a prison sentence because he has no previous convictions and opted to plead guilty. A high level fine was imposed instead.<\/p>\n Cllr Richard Beddoe, Cabinet Member for Place Shaping &\u00a0Town\u00a0Planning said: \u2018We take protecting London\u2019s rich heritage seriously and welcome the court\u2019s decision in this case where deliberate damage was caused to a listed building.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u2018We won\u2019t stand for developers smashing through our history and always take action to protect listed buildings from rogue development like this.\u2019<\/p>\n See Bob Kindred\u2019s \u2018Commentary\u2019<\/em> on the Listed Buildings Prosecution Database<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n
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