West Cumbrian landlords have been handed a £27,000 court bill for failing to remove an illegally erected canopy outside their pub.
George and Andrea Kemp, who run the Lifeboat Inn in Maryport, appeared in court for failing to comply with an enforcement notice issued by Cumberland Council.
The couple appeared at West Cumbria Magistrates Court on Friday and were found guilty.
Each was given a £10,000 fine and ordered to pay a £2,000 surcharge and £1,384.72 costs.
The Kemps erected a canopy outside the Grade II-listed pub on Shipping Brow during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Part of Maryport’s Conservation Area, it means the building’s owners need special permission to make changes to its exterior.
The Kemps had not applied for permission for the pub, which dates back to the 18th century.
The former Allerdale council served an enforcement notice on March 4 2022 to remove the lean-to canopy. The Kemps had three months to comply or appeal it.
Mr Kemp told the authority that the notice had been sent to an incorrect address and was advised about applying for retrospective planning permission.
The council checked with Royal Mail, which confirmed delivery of the notices to an address at Ellen Wharf and the pub.
There was no further contact between the Kemps and the council.
In November of the that year, a council planning manager emailed Mr Kemp, suggesting that the canopy’s roof be replaced by a different material, but received no response, the authority said.
Cumberland council said officers followed up in December 2022 and February 2023. In June 2023, the council said it contacted the Kemps to say prosecution would be pursued.
A Cumberland Council spokesman said: “This has been a long standing issue which has only resulted in prosecution after repeated attempts to resolve the issue were not taken up by the owner of the property.
“The former planning authority and the current planning authority made several attempts to ensure the building was compliant with listed building regulations.
“These have been ignored.
“Notices were issued correctly and there was repeated attempts to offer advice on how to resolve the issue.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the court case.”
