Successful action after individuals ignored planning warnings

Two residents have been ordered by Reading Magistrates Court to pay more than £9,000, after repeatedly failing to comply with two planning enforcement notices.

Mr Graham Procter and Mrs Patricia Procter each pleaded guilty to two charges of breach of an enforcement notice under s179 (2) Town and Country Planning Act 1990 on 25 July 2025. 

The pair were sentenced at Reading Magistrates Court on 8 August 2025 and ordered to pay £7,700 in fines and victim surcharge. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to pay Wokingham Borough Council £1,500 in prosecution costs for the cost of bringing the case. 

Protecting communities

August’s result underlines our determination to take action against people who ignore planning laws. 

Unlawful developments can have significant negative impacts on communities. We will always act to protect them in the borough in instances like this.

This case concerned unauthorised developments and material change of use at Fairview Farm in Forest Road, Wokingham.

The two enforcement notices, issued in 2022, required, among other things, that the individuals: 

• Cease the unauthorised use of the land for commercial, parking and storage use.
• Demolish the four buildings built without planning permission.
• Remove all items associated with the unauthorised mixed use of the land, including shipping containers, building materials, vehicles and trailers from the land.

Further warnings

The individuals failed to comply with the notices by the required compliance date. Following further warnings, the council began legal proceedings, resulting in the sentences handed down by Reading Magistrates Court. 

It was confirmed at the sentencing hearing in August that the enforcement notices had now both been complied with.

Failure to comply with an enforcement notice by the required date is a criminal offence. The maximum sentence is an unlimited fine.