Member Article

Stockton firm fined £5k for unauthorised building works on listed building

The owners and site manager of a Grade II listed property in Stockton have been fined a total of £5,240 after admitting carrying out building works without listed building consent.

Dennis Harley Developments have been charged with one offence each under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

On 6 December 2013 a planning officer noticed that works were being undertaken at the 170 year old property at 78 Norton Road.

James Harley, the site manager, was advised that as the property is Grade II listed, all building works should cease because listed building consent was required. Letters were also delivered to the owners Dennis Harley Developments Ltd confirming this.

On 12 December 2013 Stockton Council was granted a County Court injunction against Dennis Harley Developments ordering the works to stop.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday Dennis Harley Developments Ltd and James Harley pleaded guilty to executing works for alteration of a listed building, which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest, when the works didn’t have listed building consent.

Dennis Harley Developments Ltd was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £500 towards costs and a victim surcharge of £120.

James Harley was also fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £500 towards costs and a victim surcharge of £120.

Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Councillor Mike Smith, said: “The laws regarding listed building consent are there for a reason, to protect the historical significance of relevant properties, and the Council has a duty to ensure the law is complied with.

“It is important that buildings like this are protected for future generations.

“I hope this case will act as a warning that any unauthorised changes to listed buildings are not tolerated.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .