Resident fined for ignoring planning notice

As part of a routine planning enforcement investigation, a Planning Contravention Notice was issued to Arsalan Kazim from Ashford. The notice, which requires recipients to provide information about land ownership and activities taking place on a site, was sent by recorded delivery on 17 September 2025 and signed for on 18 September 2025.

The notice was required to be returned by 9 October 2025. Failure to comply with this requirement constitutes a criminal offence and as the notice was not returned, Mr Kazim was summonsed to appear at Staines Magistrates’ Court on 17 March 2026.

Mr Kazim failed to attend the hearing and the magistrate proceeded in his absence. He was found guilty of failing to respond to the Planning Contravention Notice, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £2,258.

A Council spokesperson said: “Planning Contravention Notices are a vital tool that enable us to investigate potential breaches of planning control. Failing to respond is a serious offence and undermines the planning system. We will not hesitate to take enforcement action where individuals do not comply with their legal obligations.”