FARMER FINED FOR DEMOLISHING LISTED BARN

Published by webmaster for Salisbury District Council in Communities

A farmer who demolished a 17th century Grade II listed barn in Winterbourne Gunner has been fined £12,000 with £2,500 costs by Salisbury magistrates.

Richard Bruce-White was prosecuted by Salisbury District Council after he demolished the barn just hours before the council was due to send specialist contractors along to undertake urgent works to prevent its collapse.

For many years, Mr Bruce-White had carried out little or no maintenance to the barn on his farm and had repeatedly attempted to have the structure de-listed and demolished.

“This case sends a clear signal that people cannot flout planning laws in the hope that the problem will just go away,” said Eric Teagle, Head of Forward Planning and Transportation. “The tragedy is that this fine example of a 400 year old thatched barn is now little more than a pile of historic timber.”

“The court said that the defendant knew that he had a legal obligation to maintain the barn in a structurally sound and watertight condition. He had ample opportunity to resolve the issue with the district council but was not prepared to co-operate fully because he considered the barn to be a burden.”

After several years of discussion and negotiation the barn had deteriorated to the point where the district council’s conservation officers were concerned that it might collapse.

The council’s Northern Area Committee voted a year ago to serve an urgent works notice after Mr Bruce-White had failed to carry out emergency repairs to prevent further deterioration. The council’s emergency conservation powers would have meant that they could send in specialist contractors to do the work, estimated to cost £18,000, and send the bill to Mr Bruce-White. However, hours before they were due to shore up the structure Mr Bruce-White demolished the barn.

Cllr Penny Brown, Salisbury District Council portfolio holder for planning and economic development said; “The magistrates agreed with the council that Mr Bruce-White’s actions should not be seen as a cheap alternative to evading the cost of repair work to a listed building. Accordingly, they set the fine at £18,000, the same amount that the work would have cost, to which they applied a discount in view of Mr Bruce-White’s guilty plea.

“The council does not take such action lightly. We do everything we can to resolve these matters amicably. But, when all else fails, we have significant legal powers and we will use them.”

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Press release issued: November 6 2006