Adrian Woodyatt – a 47-year-old homeowner in Gloucester – has been ordered to sell one of his properties, in order to pay fines for failing to adequately maintain his overgrown garden.
Mr Woodyatt allowed weeds and bushes in his property’s external areas to grow more than 15ft tall and, following complaints from nearby residents, the local council told him to tidy up the mess.
However, he ignored the requests, which resulted in the council taking legal action against him.
In 2012, Gloucester Magistrates’ Court heard how the homeowner failed to respond to a ‘Section 215’ notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which ordered the completion of corrective works at the property.
A fine for £2,600 was served by the court, for his failure to comply with notices.
Mr Woodyatt lives in another house he owns on the same street, but number 71 has been left empty for years, and poorly maintained, which is a state that has continued following the court order and fine.
The council has recently taken steps to recover the costs incurred from legal action, but it has decided to do this by ordering the sale of the offending house, which is estimated to be worth £150,000.
Kathy Williams, the county councillor who represents the local ward, said: “I’m pleased that [this] action has been taken.
“There are a number of these places […] where trees and plants are allowed to grow too much and it is a blight on people’s lives.”