Listed-building breaches 'will be taken to court'

Taking people to court to ensure enforcement notices on listed buildings are obeyed will take place if needed, a Devon council says.

The warning was issued by North Devon Council after it says it won a recent case to make the owners of a Grade II-listed house in Ilfracombe restore a balcony they had removed.

The couple, from Derbyshire, pleaded guilty before Barnstaple magistrates on 17 March to not complying with a notice issued in 2015 to restore the balcony, at a house in Montpelier Terrace, within 12 months.

The council said the case showed "we are committed to investigating unconsented works" and the owners were "required to complete the works within three months to avoid further prosecution".

The couple were ordered to pay £4,050 after each being fined £1,000 for the offence, plus £1,025 each for costs.

The enforcement notice was issued after the removal of the balcony was "considered to have affected the character of a building with historic architectural interest", the council said.

It added officers had made "repeated attempts" to support the restoration, including "allowing multiple extensions of time".

However, it added the case was taken to court after the owners "failed to complete the works within a reasonable amount of time".

Council chief executive Ken Miles said: "Listed buildings help preserve and protect the historic architecture and character of our built environment for our residents and visitors alike, so it is important that any works to them have the appropriate listed-building consent.

"This prosecution shows we are committed to investigating unconsented works and taking formal action when it's needed."

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