The owner of Midford Castle in Bath has been fined after being prosecuted by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning enforcement team.
The Guildhall in Bath
62-year-old Kenneth Scott Adams pleaded guilty to two offences under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
He was convicted after the council’s planning enforcement team began an investigation into Mr Adams after it was noted during the preparation of a planning enforcement appeal at the same site, unauthorised work had taken place to the Listed Coach House, Chapel, and Greenhouse at Midford Castle.
The Coach House, Chapel, and Greenhouse at Midford Castle are Grade II* Listed Buildings dating from circa 1810 and fall within the Cotswolds National Landscape Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Green Belt.
Listed buildings are considered nationally significant and granted protection within the planning system.
It is an offence, under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to undertake work that affects the character of a listed building of special architectural or historic interest without consent.
Adams executed or caused to be executed unauthorised works for the alteration or extension of a listed building, namely The Coach House and Greenhouse at Midford Castle, in a manner which affected its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
In addition, Adams executed or caused to be executed unauthorised works for the demolition of a listed building, namely The Chapel at Midford Castle, or for its alteration in a manner which affected its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
He must now pay fines totalling £5,333 and costs of £4933.25. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2000.
