Landscaping and driveways business fined for illegal advertising using a trailer

This was despite having been asked to remove it on two previous occasions.

The prosecution was brought by the council against Joshua Beard owner of J Beard & Son Landscaping and Driveways due to illegal advertising on a trailer parked and positioned on Collets Drive, near Tesco.

The council’s planning enforcement team visited the site and requested the trailer to be removed from display on two occasions, which were ignored by Mr Beard.

Mr Beard did not attend Cheltenham Magistrates Court and the magistrates found the case proved in his absence on prosecution evidence. Mr Beard was fined £500 and also ordered to pay costs of £505 to Cheltenham Borough Council and a victim surcharge of £50 to the court.

Cllr Martin Horwood, cabinet member for customer and regulatory services, said: “‘Most Cheltenham business advertise responsibly and stick to the rules. It’s not fair on them when others don’t.

‘’The owner of businesses who advertise illegally show a blatant disregard for the requirement for advertising consent and not complying will result in prosecution.

“We work with businesses and organisations who wish to advertise in the borough and would ask residents to help us to keep the look and feel of the borough welcoming and smart, by reporting any issues of concern to the planning enforcement team for investigation.”

The council receives around 400 allegations a year for the planning enforcement team to investigate. As well as illegal advertisements, they also look into unauthorised changes of use, unauthorised building operations and non-compliance with approved plans or associated planning conditions.

Breaches can be reported on the website www.cheltenham.gov.uk/report-it  by email [email protected] or by telephone 01242 264205.

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