Devon woman fined after turning stable into home

North Devon Magistrates' Court
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A Devon woman was ordered to appear in court after she turned a stable into a home without planning permission. She was fined after magistrates heard she ignored a notice to stop using the land and building for residential purposes.

Rebeca Bernt, from Ashridge, was issued with a planning enforcement notice in 2020 over the conversion of a timber stable to create an unauthorised dwelling on land she owned, as well as using the agricultural land for residential use. The notice from North Devon Council required Ms Bernt to cease the residential use of the land and building and remove all domestic and non-agricultural items.

On Tuesday (September 24) Barnstaple Magistrates' Court heard officers had made repeated attempts to communicate with Ms Bernt. They were forced to issue a court summons in May 2024 after it was found the site was still being lived on.

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The 63-year-old was ordered to pay a total of £1,550 comprising £1,200 in costs, a surcharge of £100 and a reduced fine of £250, taking into account her guilty plea and personal circumstances.

The enforcement notice remains in effect on the land should the breach occur again at any time in the future.

North Devon Council chief executive Ken Miles said: "We take breaches of planning enforcement seriously and are committed to following up and pursuing outstanding cases. Planning regulations are in place to ensure that the built environment is protected for the benefit of all our residents, and this prosecution demonstrates our commitment to upholding them."

More information on planning compliance and how to report a concern can be found on the council's website.

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