THE owner of an "eyesore" property in the heart of an area of outstanding natural beauty has been fined thousands of pounds.

OAP Joseph Clancy, of Hazel Farm in Okeford Fitzpaine, near Blandford, was prosecuted by a district council after breaching three enforcement notices.

The 78-year-old stored vehicles and waste materials on land intended exclusively for agricultural use.

He also built unauthorised structures on the site.

On Monday, April 30, Clancy was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court. Proceedings were first adjourned in October 2017 to give the defendant time to fully comply with the outstanding enforcement notices.

Council officer Mark Hitchcott had visited the site between the two court dates. He told the court Clancy had made some effort to comply with the notices, reducing the number of trailers on the land from 30 to 22.

The defendant also stopped keeping horses on the site.

However, not enough had been done, and some new items had been brought onto the land, it was heard.

Tom Horder, acting for North Dorset District Council, said there was "substantial non-compliance" with the notices.

The council had given Clancy a number of chances to comply, and officers had repeatedly set out what needed to be done, Mr Horder said.

Residents living near the defendant's land first complained to the council in 2009.

Clancy initially entered a not guilty plea, and elected trial at the crown court, substantially increasing prosecution costs.

He later admitted the charge.

In mitigation, it was heard that the defendant lives a "very disorganised life". Clancy had failed to understand the seriousness of the matter, it was said.

The defendant has no previous convictions.

Judge Peter Johnson said Clancy's property was in "ugly stark contrast" with surrounding land.

There had been a "substantial period of wilful defiance to comply with the notices", it was said.

Clancy was fined £2,500 for the first two breaches and £4,000 for the third. He was also ordered to pay the council's court costs of £11,426.20. If the defendant fails to pay within six months, he will face a three-month prison sentence.

Clancy must also comply with the enforcement notices.

Councillor David Walsh of the district council said: “I would like to thank officers for their consistent approach in dealing with this case and getting a successful outcome.

"Court proceedings are a last resort and we try to work with landowners wherever possible.

“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.”