The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) has won a legal action against a Fish Island landowner, who failed to comply with a planning enforcement notice dating back to 2019.

At a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 5 May, 2021, the court fined the landowner, Sagamount Limited, £24,000 and awarded costs to LLDC, the local planning authority.

Sagamount entered a guilty plea to breaches of planning controls on land at 616 Wick Lane, Fish Island, Tower Hamlets. The company had failed to comply with an enforcement notice to stop using the site for temporary siting of caravans, allowing occupation and to remove rubbish and tidy the site.

Joint action between LLDC and Tower Hamlets Council resulted in a successful prosecution in spite of long delays caused by the Covid pandemic.

Anthony Hollingsworth, Executive Director of Planning Policy and Decisions Team, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this case, which sends a clear message to landowners that they must manage their holdings properly and comply with enforcement notices. This case has taken a long time to be heard, but we are persistent and will pursue irresponsible landowners whose selfishness causes unfair stress for local communities.”

“Our thanks go to Tower Hamlets Council for using its powers effectively to evict the unauthorised occupation and get the rubbish removed from the site.”

Tower Hamlets spokesperson said: “As a Council, we prioritise ensuring that everyone has access to services they need and that our neighbourhoods are clean and safe. We work to make all landowners aware of their responsibilities and take appropriate action to prevent fly-tipping. When necessary, the Environmental Health and Environmental Services teams are prepared to use their full enforcement powers to ensure that the safety of our residents and cleanliness of our neighbourhoods is maintained.”