Wealden resident fined after successful prosecution

A woman has been fined £1,000 for failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice.

Linda Hazelgrove, of Highlands Lane, Chiddingly, appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court last month in a prosecution brought by Wealden District Council.

Ms Hazelgrove pleaded not guilty to the allegation that she had not done everything within her power to comply with a planning enforcement notice issued in 2018, for the erection of an unauthorised building and decking.

Following a trial, Ms Hazelgrove was found guilty and fined £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £100 was also applied by the court with full costs of £7,169.50 awarded to the council.

The building and decking is scheduled for removal later this year.

Councillor Ian Tysh, Wealden District Council’s portfolio holder for Planning & Environment, said, “We will robustly persue breaches of planning control and this court case shows we will escalate matters to court where there has been a serious contravention of planning laws.”