Property owner orderd to pay £5,600 for failing to remove unauthorised work on her historic Boston property

Patricia Wainwright, who owns the property on Witham Bank West which is a Grade II listed building was ordered to pay the fine and costs after a trial at Boston Magistrates’ Court.

The court case marks the latest stage in a long-running saga that saw Wainwright ordered to pay fines and costs of £2,700 in July 2018 after Boston Borough Council took her to court.

The council first became involved in late 2017 when Wainwright employed builders to carry out renovations to her property, including the removal of the ‘cat slide’ roof, which is an important architectural detail of the building.

A new raised roof was constructed and this significantly harmed the character of the historic building.

The council prosecuted Wainwright for a breach of laws protecting historic buildings and in July 2018 she was convicted at Lincoln Magistrates Court and fined and ordered to pay costs totalling almost £2,700.

Wainwright was then served with a legal notice that required her to remove the new roof and return the building to its original condition.

After six months when no works were carried out the council said it had no alternative but to take further legal action against her.

The case was heard yesterday (Wednesday) in Wainwright’s absence and magistrates found her guilty of the offence.

She was fined £3,500 and imposed a victim surcharge of £181 and the Council were awarded its full legal costs of £1940.3, a total of £5,621.40.

Statutorily listed buildings are protected by law and it is a criminal offence to carry out unauthorised works to alter or extend such buildings without first obtaining listed building consent from the local planning authority, a council spokesperson said.

“Boston Borough Council would encourage all owners of such properties to seek guidance from the Council before carrying out any works to a listed building and you can contact the Council’s planning team on 01205 314305 or by email at [email protected] for advice,” said the spokesperson.

“Where necessary the council will consider using its legal powers against those that carry out unlawful works and this could ultimately result in legal action being taken.