A CO-owner of Calfaria Chapel in Llanelli has been ordered to pay over £1,200 for failing to keep the Grade II Listed Building in a good condition.
Manos Mohan pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates Court for an offence under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Carmarthenshire County Council brought the prosecution against him and joint owner Syed Ashraf, although proceedings against Mr Ashraf were later withdrawn.
Mohan and Mr Ashraf have owned Calfaria Chapel, in Ann Street, Llanelli, since 2016.
The council served two separate notices on the owners, under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
The first, served in relation to the condition of the curtilage wall, was complied with and the wall rebuilt.
The second notice was in relation to the repair of the dilapidated building and the tidying of the land.
The owners were given six months to comply with all the steps required within the notice, which they didn’t do.
Carmarthenshire County Council then proceeded with legal action for non-compliance.
Magistrates ordered Mr Mohan to pay a fine of £400, with costs of £782.12 and a £40 victim surcharge.
A Section 215 Notice provides a local planning authority the power, in certain circumstances, to take steps requiring land to be cleaned up, including the repair of dilapidated buildings, when its condition adversely affects the surrounding area.
The notices set out the steps that need to be taken, and the time within which they must be carried out.
Cllr Philip Hughes, executive board member for enforcement, said: “Calfaria Chapel is located in a largely residential area of Llanelli, and neighbouring residents would have been affected by the poor condition of the grounds.
“Our officers encouraged the owners to take action for the benefit of the community but they didn’t so we had no option but to proceed to court. Whilst we’re pleased with the outcome we would have preferred that more consideration was given to the surrounding community without the need for enforcement.”
Pic by Jagger.
