A MAN who irritated his neighbours by using farmland to store caravans, machinery and scrap metal has been fined. 

Valentine Ealson, 69, admitted to not complying with a planning enforcement notice issued in February 2022. 

The Gillingham resident was told by Dorset Council not to use land at Buckhorn Weston for storing various items. 

The land was, by law, for agricultural use. But Ealson had been using it for storing non-agricultural items and equipment.

(Image: Dorset Council)

Dorset Council’s notice required him to remove everything that shouldn’t be there, including various vehicles, caravans, machinery and scrap metal. 

“Numerous” complaints were made to the local authority, saying it had a “harmful impact on the appearance of the land, public footpaths and rural landscape”. 

Ealson was given the opportunity and a significant amount of time to comply with the notice, Dorset Council officials said. 

A spokesman said: “He was sent numerous letters by the planning enforcement team setting out clearly what needed to be done to avoid prosecution. 

“Over more than 18 months, planning enforcement officers visited the site on many occasions and actively engaged with Ealson to try and remedy the situation.  

(Image: Dorset Council)

“While there were minor improvements, these were not consistent and at no time did the unauthorised uses cease. 

“Following a final visit in September 2024, officers confirmed there had been no adequate improvements to the site.” 

Officers then took him to court where at a hearing at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on November 26, Ealson pleaded guilty to failing to cease storage use and remove the items. 

However, he did not accept that everything on the land could not be there and claimed he has now removed most of the offending items. 

Despite this late action, sentence was passed with a £250 fine (benefit given for his guilty plea), victim surcharge of £100 and costs of £600. 

The court warned Ealson the sentence was passed on the basis that almost all remaining items were to be removed by March 2025.  

They encouraged Ealson to engage with the council to ensure he does everything necessary to avoid further legal action. 

Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for planning, said: “This continued breach undermined the integrity of the planning process, and the respect and confidence people have for planning laws and their enforcement by Dorset Council.  

“It’s important that everyone understands that we are fully prepared to act when necessary. 

“In this instance, the defendant had every opportunity to work with our planning enforcement team to resolve the issues before a prosecution was used as a last resort. As he failed to respond appropriately, we were left with no choice but to take the matter to court. 

“I want to personally thank our planning enforcement officers and our legal team for their hard work in getting the case to this stage. I hope this result will be seen as a clear example of the enforcement powers Dorset Council has at their disposal, and of our willingness to use them in the interests of the communities we serve.”