Three property owners fined by Flintshire council over planning breaches
Three property owners in Sandycroft, Ffynnongroyw and Holywell have been ordered to pay fines, costs and compensation after being prosecuted by Flintshire County Council for planning breaches.
The council said the cases followed prolonged non-compliance despite repeated opportunities to resolve the issues.
All three cases were brought to the council’s attention following complaints from members of the public.
In Sandycroft, a residential property was found to be in use as a commercial premises without planning permission for a change of use. The owner had been required to cease the unauthorised use, remove machinery and reinstate the land to its previous condition.
After failing to comply with a formal enforcement notice, the landowner was ordered to pay £70,000 compensation, £30,859.84 prosecution costs and a £6,000 fine to the council, along with a £2,000 victim surcharge.
In Ffynnongroyw, a two-storey extension was built at a home despite permission having been granted only for a single-storey extension. The homeowner had been instructed to demolish the extension or remove the first floor.
The court imposed a £2,000 fine and £5,000 costs payable to the council, plus a victim surcharge of £800.
In Holywell, a landowner was instructed to clear an area of untidy land by removing fencing, scaffolding and debris and cutting overgrown vegetation from gardens.
After failing to comply, the court ordered the landowner to pay a £1,000 fine and £3,810.97 costs, as well as a £400 victim surcharge.
Councillor Richard Jones, Cabinet Member for Transformation, Growth and Place at Flintshire County Council, said: “Planning rules exist to protect our communities and ensure development is fair and appropriate.
“Where breaches are identified, we give every opportunity for landowners to resolve them informally, but when that doesn’t happen, we will take enforcement action.
“I am pleased with the outcomes of these three cases and hope they will act as a strong deterrent to anyone considering carrying out development without obtaining the correct permission or seeking professional advice. I hope this will also reassure residents that concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon.”
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