COUNCIL OFFICERS RESORT TO WARRANT TO INSPECT LISTED BUILDING

- Wed 26th Jan 2005

Officers from Havant Borough Council today (26 January 2005) used a warrant to gain entry to a prominent Grade 2 listed building on Hayling Island after evidence revealed unauthorised works were being carried out.

The warrant was obtained from Portsmouth Magistrates on January 18, in accordance with the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts, because earlier evidence had indicated work that affected the character of the historic seafront building was underway without the required consent from the council.

The council can take formal action against people responsible for carrying out unauthorised works, including prosecutions, enforcement notices requiring remedial works to be done and, in the most serious cases, court injunctions.

During an initial visit to the property in Norfolk Crescent council officers discovered what appeared to be unauthorised renovations. A second attempt was made to visit the premises on January 12 in order to survey the property, clarify what work had been done and assess the impact on the character of the historic building.

However, council officers were unable to make any such assessments because they were refused access to the building and, as a last resort, applied for a warrant to gain entry.

Council officers gained entry to the property this morning with the help of a professional locksmith and carried out a survey of all the unoccupied parts of the building. With the tenant’s consent one of the occupied parts of the building was also surveyed. Council officers expect to finish at the site by early afternoon and will leave the building secure.


“The council makes every reasonable attempt to co-operate with the owners and occupiers of the borough’s historic buildings and only takes formal action when it is absolutely necessary,” said Head of Planning and Development, Jackie Batchelor. “However, in cases where it is believed unauthorised works are being undertaken and access is not possible by agreement, appropriate action will be taken.”

By forum user, HIbot