Farmer's £60,000 bill over planning breach

Couple Timothy and Susan Edwards fell foul of West Lancashire Council’s planning regulations after council staff found they were storing trailer caravans on a field on their site at their cattle farm at Bannister House Farm, Marshes Lane, Tarleton.

The row over the fate of the caravans has been ongoing since 2008, with the couple claiming they should be permitted to run their caravans storage business from the site.

The 60 caravans were not removed despite the council’s advice and an enforcement notice was served.

They each pleaded guilty at Preston Magistrates Court to two counts of breaching an enforcement notice last year.

At Preston Crown Court, Mr Edwards, 55, was ordered to pay £59,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In addition he must pay a £3,500 fine and £6,000 costs while Mrs Edwards, 59, must pay a £500 fine.

Today Mr Edwards, 55, previously told the Evening Post the row started after they made an application to do with a fisheries on the site, leading to officers noticing caravans stored there.

They said they relied on the business to pay their mortgage.