Stratford District Council prosecutes local architect

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has successfully prosecuted an architect for unauthorised works to an historic farmhouse near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Neil Shepherd was prosecuted at Warwick Crown Court and fined a total of £4,000 for unauthorised works to Lower Farm, Admington near Atherstone-on-Stour a Grade II listed building - described as a good example of an eighteen century farmhouse that had substantially retained its original form, layout and fabric.

Mr Shepherd, of Grafton Lane, Binton pleaded guilty to two counts in relation to the work that took place - installing timber studding, insulation material and plasterboard to internal walls without listed building consent and also installing replacement structural roof timbers, particularly two structural roof purlins of inappropriate timber and size again without listed building consent.

The Judge said: "You (Shepherd) were the Architect instructed by the owner and entrusted to oversee certain works ensuring the necessary requirements were observed. In that fact you failed.

You allowed plasterboard and timbers to be reinstated that were inappropriate and did so without proper authority.  Whilst I acknowledge you were not responsible for the removal of the plaster or roof timbers, you were responsible for the instatement of unsuitable materials and the effect was not insignificant.

The result of your failure was evidenced through photographs, and the works were serious, unacceptable and caused significant harm which cannot be rectified.  You clearly should have known better and you knew that permission was required."

Mr Shepherd was told that the matter was too serious for a conditional discharge and that he would have to pay a fine of £2,000 for each count, making a total of £4,000.  Mr Shepherd was also ordered to pay £10,000 towards the District Council's costs and a victim's surcharge.  If this was not paid within six months Mr Shepherd would be sent to prison for three months.

Mr Shepherd was prosecuted under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act – which prevents any alteration which would affect the character of a listed building without authorisation.