A press release from High Peak Borough Council reveals that a businessman has been fined £4,000 for failing to remove a building in Whaley Bridge  that did not have planning permission.

Alan Sidebotham, of Waterside Farm, Disley, appeared before Buxton Magistrates and pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an enforcement notice requiring him to remove a stone building which he had built next to his holiday cottages at Shallcross Hall Farm, Shallcross Road, Whaley Bridge without planning permission. In addition to the £4,000 fine, he was ordered to pay costs of £346.

The Borough Council brought the prosecution after an appeal by Mr Sidebotham was rejected by the planning Inspectorate in May 2011. He was given an additional six months to take the building down but failed to do so, despite requests from the council.

Councillor Godfrey Claff, the council\s executive member for regeneration, said: “The planning regulations are there to ensure that our communities in High Peak have they type of development that maintains the kind of place they want to live in. We cannot allow individuals to breach these rules.

“Prosecution is undertaken as a last resort but I hope it sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate non-compliance in High Peak.”