The hard work of Hastings Borough Council's Planning Enforcement Section aka the "Grot Squad," which has resulted in the renovation of close to two hundred eyesores across Hastings, continues unabated. They were in Court again last Friday with four cases where eyesore owners hadn't improved their properties as required by enforcement notices served by the Council under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The results were four successful convictions and fines and costs totaling £6,000, a stunning success and further vindication of the Council's zero tolerance policy towards run down and derelict buildings.
Grosvenorarch Limited of London were twice convicted and fined in their absence £1,000 (the statutory maximum) and ordered to pay costs to the Council of £850 costs regarding two properties in Robertson Street, numbers 28 - 30 and number 31.
Eaglehurst Limited of London were convicted and fined the statutory maximum £1000 regarding 61C High Street and ordered to pay costs to the Council of £850.
Capper and Company Limited of Pontyclun, Wales were fined £750 and ordered to pay costs of £550 regarding the Spar Shop in Kings Road. Solicitors representing Capper and Company said in mitigation that £4,000 had already been spent on renovation works to the property in an effort to comply with the notice but that they were aware that the standard of the works undertaken was not acceptable to the Council. In fining Capper and Company the magistrates took into account their guilty plea but felt that they had had long enough to comply with the notice. They also noted that other businesses manage to maintain their premises in good order.
The cases don't end there. Until the buildings are improved to the Council's satisfaction, the defendants face the prospect of direct action works in default plus a further fine calculated at £100 for each day following conviction.
The zero tolerance approach of the Grot Squad to eyesores in the town, which has seen nearly one hundred and fifty enforcement notices issued to eyesore owners, has been well received locally and won national recognition from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Local Authorities across the country. The last year has seen the Magistrates Court impose the maximum fine on five occasions reflecting how seriously the issue of combating the town's eyesores is now taken. This year, the Grot Squad has once again exceeded performance targets set for it early with 32 premises improved, many of them in the town centre, not least the works currently underway to Woolworths.
Council leader Jeremy Birch, portfolio holder for Regeneration, said:
"The last year has seen the magistrates court impose the maximum fine on five occasions, which is a reflection on how seriously combating this issue is now taken. Maintaining our no-nonsense approach to tackling building improvements is an integral part of our overall commitment to smartening up the town's appearance. One hundred and eighty-eight buildings have already been improved since this action group was launched three years ago. The work we've done has even been used as an example of good working practise by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and local authorities across the country."
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This page last updated: 12/11/2004