The building was made of recycled tyre bales, sited on land within the green belt and in an area of high flood risk.
Patrick Moran, 52, of Glazebrook Lane, Glazebrook, was found guilty at Warrington Combined Court on the 4 December 2019 for failing to comply with an enforcement notice from Warrington Borough Council.
The enforcement notice required that Mr Moran remove a building he had constructed of tyres on his land in Glazebrook. Despite several requests for Mr Moran to remove the building, he failed to comply.
Mr Moran appealed the notice claiming that the building had been constructed in 2011 and lived in by his son from 2012 to 2016 and was now immune from enforcement action.
The appeal was considered by an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. The building was close to a European Site of International Importance at Holcroft Moss. The Inspector supported the council’s decision that the construction of the building was not substantially completed and it was not immune from enforcement action.
Mr Moran was sentenced on 18 December 2019, where he was fined £2,500. Additionally he was ordered to pay £820 in costs and a victim surcharge of £170.
Cabinet member for environment and protection, Cllr Judith Guthrie said: “Planning controls are put in place to protect the environment and ensure the safety of buildings and developments.
“As in this case, our planning enforcement always try to work with landowners in order to remedy planning breaches, but will not hesitate to take formal action where this approach doesn’t. Court proceedings are a last resort but will be taken to ensure that the integrity of the planning system is not undermined”.
You can find out more about planning permission and the enforcement process on the council website at warrington.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control
