Council enforcers move in to tackle village ‘eyesore’

Harborough District Council’s planning enforcement team took action on a residential property in Thurnby after its owners refused to comply with a notice ordering them to tidy up the mess.

In August 2015, Harborough District Council served a so-called ‘untidy notice’ on the owners of the property in Sedgefield Drive.

The notice required a clean up of the front and back gardens and removal of scrap vehicles, including a caravan, from the front drive.

The owners had until September 2015 to clear up the mess, but despite several warnings by the council, no tidy up was undertaken.

This week, using powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the district council – working with contractors and the police – were able to gain access to the site and begin the clean-up operation.

This included cutting down overgrown vegetation, repairing boundary fencing, replacing a front porch door and the removal of scrap vehicles, a caravan, building materials, disused window frames and doors, bathroom suites, black bags and general rubbish.

Local residents commented that they were thankful to the council and relieved that the clean up had taken place.

A Harborough District Council spokesman said: “We hope this sends out a strong message that action will be taken against those who deliberately flout planning laws or refuse to comply with enforcement notices. It should also be noted that the costs of the clean up operation are recoverable from the owner and may ultimately result in the enforced sale of the property by the Council.”

Before photos

After photos