A LANDOWNER in north Shropshire has been hit with a fine after failing to comply with council demands to stop using her property to live on.

On June 27 Michelle Kelsey pleaded guilty after Shropshire Council took the matter at Telford Magistrates Court, and was ordered to pay a £400 fine.

Kelsey did temporarily have planning permission, in April 2015, to allow a caravan to be sited on her land at Heartlands Farm, Hampton Wood, Ellesmere, to support a horse business on the land.

But the caravan should have been removed three years later, and if the business was showed to be financially viable, an application for a permanent dwelling submitted.

Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for planning, said: "This case shows that we take compliance with planning conditions very seriously.

"Where people fail to comply, we will take enforcement action and, where necessary, will pursue this through the courts."

In April 2019, an enforcement notice was served, which required the residential use to cease and removal of the caravan, and gave until 8 May 2020 for this to be carried out.

Due to the pandemic affecting people’s ability to move, at the end of this period the council said it sought to work with Ms Kelsey and allowed additional time for compliance – but the council says she brought a replacement caravan to site, showing that she did not intend to comply with the requirements of the notice.

Ed Potter added: "Shropshire Council officers now continue to pursue the compliance with the enforcement notice, and secure the removal of the caravan.

"Further court proceedings could follow if timely compliance does not occur."