Estate agency fined for unauthorised advertising

The case, heard at Staines Magistrates’ Court on 4 November 2025, resulted in the company pleading guilty to 14 offences under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 and Section 224 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The offences related to multiple unapproved estate agent boards promoting Frost & Co Ashford alongside local events. Despite repeated warnings from the Council’s enforcement officers, the boards were displayed without the necessary advertisement consent.

The Court imposed a fine of £300 per offence (totalling £4,200), together with a victim surcharge of £1,680 and prosecution costs of £2,581, bringing the total penalty to £8,461. The company offered to pay in instalments of £750 per month, which was accepted by the Court.

Cllr Malcolm Beecher, Chair of Spelthorne Borough Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, said: “Spelthorne Borough Council takes breaches of planning control seriously. The rules around advertisement consent exist to protect the appearance and amenity of our borough. We will take enforcement action where businesses fail to comply, particularly after clear advice and warnings have been ignored.”