Forest of Dean District Council (FoDDC) has prosecuted a Forest of Dean couple for offences relating to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

At Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Monday, February 20, 2023, Mr and Mrs Games were ordered to pay a £2,350.00 fine each and the Council were also awarded costs, after being found guilty of failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

The prosecution was brought by Forest of Dean District Council's Planning Enforcement Team with the assistance of the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, after an enforcement notice was issued to the couple in December 2017.

The couple converted the garage at their property into a residential dwelling without planning permission. The Council's Planning Enforcement Team conducted inspection visits after receiving complaints. The main host dwelling, which was originally occupied by the couple, had been sold. The couple then moved into the garage and separated the land from the main house. An enforcement notice was issued for the garage to be returned to its original state and the use of this building as a residential dwelling to be ceased. The couple failed to comply with this notice.

Tim Gwilliam, leader of Forest of Dean District Council said, "It is important that the Local Planning Authority takes appropriate enforcement action, in the public interest when unauthorised developments of this kind take place."

"We can provide advice to anyone who wants to make changes to their property. We are here to help people stay on the right side of planning law to make the process as easy as possible for them."

The prosecution was undertaken by Forest of Dean District Council's Legal Services team working with the Council's Planning Enforcement Team and Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit (CFEU).

Members of the public can contact the council with any concerns about planning via email or the CFEU by email at fraud.referrals@cotswold.gov.uk