A LANDOWNER has been left out of pocket to the tune of £2,000 after he failed in a bid to overturn a legal notice aimed at forcing him to clear up a field he had allowed to become an eyesore.
Uttlesford District Council took action against Edward Matthews after receiving complaints that the land in Little Cambridge, near Lindsell, which is designated for agricultural use, had become strewn with abandoned vehicles.
The authority served notice on Mr Matthews under Section 215 of the Town & Country Planning Act which required him to remove the broken down and derelict vehicles immediately.
He appealed against the notice but on Tuesday this week magistrates in Harlow rejected his appeal and ruled that the council was acting in an entirely proper manner.
In addition to being ordered to comply with the notice immediately Mr Matthews was also ordered to pay the council’s £2,000 court costs.
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