A Saltdean man has been hit with a bill of more than £2,5000 for breaking planning laws.
Neil Harrison, of Berwick Road, Saltdean, failed to give details of all the owners and occupiers of a property which was converted into three flats without planning permission.
Harrison was convicted in his absence after failing to turn up to a hearing at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.
He was fined £600 and ordered to pay costs of £2,120 and £15 victim surcharge, making £2,735 in total.
Brighton and Hove City Council planning enforcement team became aware of a potential breach of planning control in December last year.
They inspected the property in January.
The council then wrote to Harrison asking for details of ownership.
Despite numerous reminders he did not respond, said the council, leaving officers no alternative but to prosecute.
Councillor Lynda Hyde, chairman of Brighton and Hove’s planning committee, said: “This is a stark reminder that ignoring the planning rules can result in a fine with further risk of prosecution to undo the work you have carried out.
“Planning regulations are there for a reason, to make sure work that needs planning permission goes through the proper process, including giving the neighbours an opportunity to comment on developments that could affect them.”
The council now has the option of further enforcement action to make sure the property is put back to its former use.
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