A LANDOWNER who repeatedly failed to tear down a building he did not have planning permission for has been ordered to fork out more than £2,000.

Marcus Cordle, of Chelmondiston, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an enforcement notice when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court last month.

Cordle applied for permission from Babergh District Council to erect an agricultural storage building on land next to Stanley House in Chelmondiston in August 2010.

The application was turned down by planners but an investigation by enforcement officers in August 2011 revealed a large steel-framed structure had been erected and was being used to store agricultural machinery.

A planning contravention notice was issued in September 2011 and negotiations to resolve the issue and remove the structure between Cordle’s agent and the council broke down.

He was then given three months to demolish the structure in June last year but by October, there was still no progress made.

In November, Cordle was sent a letter by the council informing him it intended to prosecute if the structure remained, but by December, the removal had still not taken place.

After pleading guilty to failing to comply with an enforcement notice, Cordle was fined £2,000, £15 surcharge and ordered to pay the council’s costs of £520.98.

Cordle has now started the process of taking down the structure – it is due to be completed by May 20.

Ben Elvin, the council’s corporate manager for planning enforcement, said: “Whilst it is disappointing that the situation reached this stage, the extent of the fine and the fact that the structure is still required to be removed will hopefully serve as a reminder to others that enforcement notices are there to remedy breaches of control where harm is caused.

“Babergh will look to work with people to achieve a solution wherever possible, but will use the legal powers available to it should that engagement not occur.”