Court action taken against owners of Grade II listed building in Wisbech that fell into disrepair
Owners of a Grade II listed building in Wisbech could face fines of up to £500 every day – unless they carry out improvement works.
Fenland District Council prosecuted the Whitfield Group, owners of the former Franks butchers, at 10 Market Place, for failing to comply with an order to complete improvements within two months.
At Peterborough Magistrates’ Court, The Whitfield Group, registered at Oakington Road, Westwick, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the order which was issued in March last year.
The owners had done some work at the site.
Cllr Dee Laws, Fenland District Council's portfolio holder for planning, welcomed the court action, and said: “We hope this action sends a message to all owners of heritage buildings in Fenland that we won’t stand by and watch them degrade.
“And that now the owners of this building will do the right thing and take the action we’ve ordered to preserve this important building’s future.”
The council said that The Whitfield Group must now comply with the order. The council will work with them to agree a reasonable, as soon as possible, deadline for works to be achieved.
The council added that they work closely with property owners to encourage and drive restoration and preservation of buildings.
The Whitfield Group was ordered to pay a total of £810 for failing to comply with the order. The council said that If they fail to meet the deadline again, they could face further prosecution and a daily fine of up to £500.