The owner of a car lot, who failed to comply with a planning enforcement notice, has been fined £2,500.

John Roper of Wavertree Car Centre, High Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court to failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice issued to him on 29 August 2006. He was also ordered to pay £250 costs.

The enforcement action taken by the Council followed his attempts to seek planning permission to retain unauthorised steel cladding erected on the boundary walls of his sales lot which is in Wavertree Village Conservation Area.

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Mr Roper appealed the Council's decision to refuse his application to retain the cladding, but the appeal was dismissed by a Planning Inspector who said "the cladding attached to sides of the site results in an over-dominant visual impact on the High Street".

Despite the appeal decision Mr Roper did not take action to remove the cladding and an enforcement notice was served upon him. He chose not to appeal the notice or comply with its requirements. After some 15 months of non-compliance and numerous attempts from Council officers to encourage compliance, the decision was taken to prosecute him

Mr Roper told the court he had had difficulties getting contractors to do the work. It is understood that the works required by the notice have now been completed.

(CD/JM)