A woman from Ashridge has been fined at court for breaching a planning enforcement notice following a successful prosecution from North Devon Council.

Rebeca Bernt, aged 63, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice at a hearing at Barnstaple Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 24 September 2024.

The notice was initially issued in 2020 in relation to the conversion of a timber stable to create an unauthorised dwelling on land she owned, as well as using the agricultural land for residential use. The notice required Ms Bernt to cease the residential use of the land and building and remove all domestic and non-agricultural items.

Officers made repeated attempts to communicate with Ms Bernt and enable cooperation following the notice's expiry, but were forced to issue a court summons in May 2024 after it was found the site was still being lived on.

Ms Bernt was ordered to pay a total of £1,550 comprising £1,200 in costs, a surcharge of £100 and a reduced fine of £250 taking into account her guilty plea and personal circumstances.

The enforcement notice remains in effect on the land should the breach occur again at any time in the future.

North Devon Council Chief Executive, Ken Miles, said: "We take breaches of planning enforcement seriously and are committed to following up and pursuing outstanding cases. Planning regulations are in place to ensure that the built environment is protected for the benefit of all our residents, and this prosecution demonstrates our commitment to upholding them."

More information on planning compliance and how to report a concern can be found on the council's website.