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26
Feb
Man fined for converting farm building to home without planning permission
A man who failed to comply with North Yorkshire Council-led enforcement action has been ordered to pay more than £26,000.
Liam Snowden, 34, was last month convicted of failing to comply with an enforcement notice in relation to a property that was not authorised to be built.
The original enforcement notice in 2020 came after Snowden bought land and converted a former agricultural building at East Field Barn in Deighton, near Northallerton, into his home without obtaining planning approval to do so.
The defendant subsequently submitted two applications seeking approval for the work, but they were both refused.
The Planning Inspectorate also dismissed Snowden’s appeals and enforcement action was launched.
In 2024, Snowden denied failing to comply with the enforcement notice at York Magistrates Court and requested the case be transferred to York Crown Court.
Snowden was last month found guilty following a four-day trial and was sentenced at the same court this month, when he represented himself.
The Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, ordered Snowden to pay a £1,000 fine, £25,029 in prosecution costs and a £100 surcharge.
If he does not pay the sum within three months, Snowden faces 30 days behind bars.
‘We will not hesitate to take robust legal action’
The council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include planning policy, said:
Planning rules exist to protect our communities, our environment and the integrity of the planning system.
When individuals choose to ignore those rules and defy enforcement action, we will not hesitate to take robust legal action.
Cllr Cane said the case comes as a warning that failure to comply with council enforcement action could result in “serious consequences”.
He added:
We will continue to pursue those who flout the law and will always act to uphold the decisions made through the proper planning process.
Cllr Heather Phillips, executive member for corporate services, said it was important the council was able to recover taxpayers' money that went towards the prosecution:
The costs in this case were substantial and while this should not be the main consideration when deciding whether to progress with proceedings it is important that taxpayers’ money is recovered where possible.
I am grateful that Judge Morris highlighted the need for this money to be repaid promptly and in full and Snowden was left in no doubt that if he did not comply, he would be sent to prison.
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