Unauthorised adverts cost money

Displaying unauthorised advertisements in south Warwickshire could land offenders in court with a fine. That's the message from Stratford-on-Avon District Council after another successful prosecution this year by its planning enforcement team.  

Magistrates recently fined a local hot food take-away £500 plus costs, for displaying an unauthorised sign in the Southam Conservation Area, while earlier this year local developers were fined £400 for displaying unauthorised advertisements.  

"These cases recognise the importance of protecting the environment from unauthorised advertisements, and the importance of obtaining consents where necessary," said Cllr Stuart Beese, the District Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning.  

"People who display unauthorised advertisements and threaten the character of the District, risk legal action and significant penalties.  

"Communities sometimes accuse us of not doing enough to enforce those rules, so I hope this will demonstrate that the District Council does indeed have teeth and will bite when we have to."  

The unauthorised display of advertisements is an offence, which is punishable by a fine of up to £1,000, with fines of up to £100 for each day the advertisement is displayed thereafter.