Neighbour ordered to pay £2k over 'unacceptable' new patio

The raised patio was deemed excessively high, but the homeowner has refused to instrumentality it down (Image: SWNS)

A homeowner indispensable ammunition retired £2,000 aft refusing to dismantle a raised terrace which was "unacceptably overlooking" his neighbour's garden. 

Jermain Morrison undertook the works astatine his spot successful Oakleigh Drive, Croxley Green successful Hertfordshire, without the applicable readying permissions, Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) said.

Planning officers importune they were near with "no choice" but to proceed with an enforcement announcement aft Mr Morrison "failed to cooperate."

An entreaty was not received aft the announcement was made, nor did the homeowner look to beryllium making immoderate effort to region the terrace, the assembly said. 

He was past recovered blameworthy of failing to comply with an enforcement announcement astatine St Albans Magistrates' Court connected October 8.

He was fined £750 with costs awarded to the assembly successful the sum of £1,720 and a unfortunate surcharge of £280.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, TRDC's leader, said: “Unlike galore different readying breaches which are rectified done effectual co-operation and dialog with homeowners, officers had nary prime but to prosecute successful this instance.

"The proprietor made his thoughts wide aboriginal connected and maintained his innocence until the end. It is hoped that this lawsuit acts arsenic a informing to those that bash not privation to prosecute with readying officers.”

The assembly says it is present considering its adjacent steps to guarantee that the raised patio is removed.