The owners of the derelict former job centre at Greyfriars in Stafford have been ordered to pay more than £56,000 after failing to carry out work required by Stafford Borough Council.
Greyfriars House has stood derelict for several years, with North Staffordshire Justice Centre told there had been repeated complaints from members of the public and emergency services over vandalism and the condition of the site.
Stafford Borough Council took action against owner Eaglemount Limited and its former director Minesh Dilip Amin after work required by an enforcement notice was not completed.
Council ordered building to be secured
The council served a Section 215 notice requiring work to improve the condition and security of Greyfriars House.
The notice required broken glass and damaged window fittings to be removed and disposed of, windows containing broken glass to be boarded up and external doors to be secured against unauthorised entry.
Owners were also required to repair and secure damaged or loose hoarding panels and access gates around the site.
Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 gives local planning authorities powers to require improvements where the condition of land or buildings is considered to be adversely affecting the amenity of an area.
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Work not completed within two-month period
Stafford Borough Council said its enforcement officers attempted to engage with the property owner, but the required work was not completed within the two-month period set out in the notice.
The authority subsequently prosecuted Eaglemount Limited and former director Minesh Dilip Amin for failing to comply.
The council said Amin did not attend the court hearing.
Following a trial on Monday 28 September, the defendants were found guilty of breaching the enforcement notice.
More than £56,000 in fines, costs and surcharge
The court imposed a £1,000 fine for the offence, together with an additional £100 for each day the notice had remained uncomplied with.
That daily penalty totalled £52,700.
A further £2,000 in costs and a £400 surcharge were also imposed, bringing the total stated by the council to £56,100.
The company was ordered to pay the fines and costs in full within six months.
Former job centre has stood derelict for years
Greyfriars House, on Greyfriars in Stafford, was previously used as a job centre and has remained unused and deteriorating for several years.
The council’s case centred on the appearance and security of the property and its impact on the surrounding area.
The latest prosecution relates specifically to the failure to comply with the Section 215 notice requiring the site to be made more secure and its condition improved.
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