Council removes vehicles from Yapton house | Latest news

 

Arun District Council has taken direct action to remove vehicles from the rear garden of  a house in Yapton after its occupants failed to comply with an enforcement notice.

The Council had received numerous complaints from neighbours and Yapton Parish Council requesting that action be taken as the unauthorised vehicles were detrimental to the community.

A planning enforcement notice was served on Two Hoots, Bilsham Road, Yapton in August 2014 which restricted the number of vehicles to four in the driveway and no more than two in the rear garden. There were previously in excess of 20 vehicles at the property.

An appeal against the notice was made to the Planning Inspectorate in September 2014 but it was dismissed in April 2015.

Monitoring of the property revealed the number of vehicles parked in the rear garden had been reduced but still failed to comply with the enforcement notice.

On Thursday, June 16 2016, planning enforcement officers from Arun District Council attended the property. A warrant to gain entry was granted by Worthing Magistrates Court and a total of 11 unauthorised vehicles were removed.

The Council is seeking to recover the cost of the operation and has the power to force the sale of the house or put a charge on the land if the money is not paid.

Councillor Ricky Bower, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure, said: “The vast majority of people get on well with their neighbours so taking direct action to resolve situations is not something the Council takes lightly.

“In this instance it was important to take this measure to protect the environment. The Council has a number of other sites where it may be necessary to carry out work and I hope other landowners will ensure they comply with their enforcement notices.”

Further action is being considered regarding other breaches of planning control at the property.

The enforcement notice remains in place and if it is breached again the Council will consider further causes of action, including obtaining an injunction.