A Lake District landowner has been landed with a substantial fine after operating an unauthorised holiday let in breach of planning laws.
Graham Teasdale of Doddick Farm, Threlkeld had sited a converted fire engine on his land and was renting it out as holiday accommodation in breach of planning control.
After retrospective planning permission for the fire engine was refused, the Lake National Park Authority (LDNPA) issued an enforcement notice requiring its removal.
However, the fire engine stayed on the land in breach of the enforcement notice – a criminal offence – leading the LDNPA to start prosecution proceedings.
Teasdale was fined £10,978 after pleading guilty to not complying with the requirements of the enforcement notice at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.
Dr Geoff Davies, chair of the LDNPA’s development control committee, said: “The planning process helps to ensure development happens in the right places in the National Park and that it meets certain criteria, within the context of national and local planning policies.
“It’s about protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage and sustaining the vibrant communities of this incredible part of the world.
“The substantial fine in this case should serve as a reminder that planning rules are enforced, and failing to follow them can have serious consequences.
“We are proud of the work that we do to protect the Lake District landscape.
“Last year, Government figures highlighted that the Lake District National Park Authority served more planning enforcement notices than any national park authority in England and ranked us joint 22nd of 322 local planning authorities nationally for the number of planning enforcement notices served.”
