A landowner has been fined £600 for planning control breaches.

Ronald Carpenter, of Whitehall Farm in Lydd, was visited by Folkestone & Hythe District Council on July 19 last year following reports of the violantions.

These were associated with the use of a building for residential purposes and the storage of caravans, motorhomes and other vehicles.

A Planning Contravention Notice was served on Mr Carpenter, placing a statutory obligation on him to provide relevant information within 21 days.

Despite a reminder being sent, no responses were received.

He was found guilty of failing to comply with a Planning Contravention Notice at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on April 12 and fined £600.

He was also ordered to pay a £240 victim surcharge and £180 costs.

“We take reports of planning control breaches very seriously – ignoring statutory notices will not make the issue go away...”

A spokesman for the council said: “We take reports of planning control breaches very seriously – ignoring statutory notices will not make the issue go away.

“We always try to resolve cases without the need for formal action, but enforcement proceedings will be taken when other means of compliance have been unsuccessful.”