A LANDOWNER will be sentenced after using land within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as a scrapyard.

Joseph Clancy, of Hazel Farm, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, appeared in court on Wednesday, October 4, after being prosecuted by North Dorset District Council for breaching three enforcement notices contrary to Section 179(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to three offences relating to land at Okeford Hill, Okeford Fitzpaine - an area that falls within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The court heard that an officer visited the land on July 30, 2010, and found that it was strewn with various materials, vehicles, abandoned vehicles, and 42 small structures and buildings including a porta-cabin.

Sentencing has been adjourned for six months to April 3, 2018. This is to ensure the land is cleared by Mr Clancy of all unauthorised structures, vehicles and materials in compliance with the three enforcement notices served upon him, and thereby restore the land to good order.

Council officers will provide updates on the clearance of the site to Judge Peter Johnson.

After the hearing, Councillor David Walsh, North Dorset District Council’s portfolio holder for planning, said:

“A considerable amount of officer time has gone into this case, and I am pleased with a decision that hopes to lead to clearance of the site.

“We have a duty to protect land that falls under an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and make sure it is used for its intended purpose. I would like to reassure people that while we take this duty seriously, we also try to work with landowners wherever possible. Court action is only ever a last resort.”