An Ottinge, near Lyminge, resident who failed to co-operate over a planning notice has been fined more than £1,000 by magistrates.
The case against Andrew Charlier, of Mill Hill, was brought by Folkestone & Hythe District Council after he did not respond to the planning contravention notice (PCN).
Officers were concerned that Mr Charlier’s property had changed in use from residential to mixed, including the storage of vehicles and other items.
This, says the council, had – and continues to have – a negative impact on the area, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Mr Charlier did not attend the Folkestone Magistrates’ Court hearing on 11 May and was fined a total of £1,176 in his absence.
Cllr Stuart Peall, F&HDC Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Regulatory Services, Waste and Building Control, said: “A PCN is usually the first stage in formal enforcement action and is vital to the investigation.
“Mr Charlier’s non-compliance has delayed this matter and means that it has not yet been resolved as we cannot establish whether a breach of planning control has occurred and if so, what the nature of the breach is.
“We ask that anyone who receives a PCN communicates with us to stop penalties accumulating.”