Farnworth: Owners fined for state of house on Plodder Lane

Bolton Council issued a notice to Gilgal Investments under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act calling for them to clean up the house on Plodder Lane around a year ago.

The notice ordered the owners to remove glass, plastic, wood and other materials from around the site, to remove bushes and trees from the back garden, and to cut back the front garden.

The council say Bedford-based Gilgal Investments took no action.

Now the local authority has warned others it will not hesitate to take enforcement action if notices are ignored.

The back garden of the house on Plodder Lane (Image: Bolton Council)

The council say Bedford-based Gilgal Investments took no action.

The owners were taken to Wigan Magistrates' Court where, at a hearing last month, it was heard how their inaction impacted on the area.

In their absence, Gilgal Investments were fined a substantial sum of £1,000, and also ordered to cover court costs to a total of £1,203.65.

The front garden of the house on Plodder Lane (Image: Bolton Council)

Cllr Toby Hewitt, the council's executive cabinet member for strategic housing and planning, said: "This property was left in an unacceptable state, and this can have a negative impact on nearby homes and businesses. 

"The council will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers to force owners to act when their properties fall below a reasonable standard. 

"This case sends a clear message that those who fail to co-operate with the council could face a conviction and a significant financial penalty."

Bolton Council has taken court action against residents and businesses previously, most recently for fly tipping.

Fines totalling £5,000 were handed to four people only recently convicted of fly-tipping and other waste offences in Bolton.

Bolton Council says it is taking tough action against people who drop litter, including from their cars under new powers to clean up the borough.

Fly-tippers in Bolton named and shamed