Listed Buildings Prosecutions Database Commentary

15 The defendant’s QC Paul Greaney QC stated that the house had not been perfectly preserved and Mrs. Sykes had even found some MDF doors after moving in. His defendant had not been "cocking a snook" at the council. "It is not a building of the highest significance like Castle Howard" (…) "The drive of the defendant was to return the hall to its former glory, certainly not to turn it into some sort of Premiership footballer's pad” (…) "No expense has been spared to bring that dream into reality." Richard Sykes from Asenby, North Yorkshire was fined £26,010 and ordered to pay £14,000 costs. West Park Services Limited, based in Thirsk were fined £14,010 with £12,000 costs. Nicholas Hull was fined £2,660 and ordered to pay £3,000 costs. Thermotech Building Maintenance Limited, based in Harrogate were fined £6,000 with £7,000 costs. In addition Mr. Ian Saddington of quantity surveyors Derrick Kershaw Partnership, who had arranged for windows to be removed from the Gardener’s Cottage, a listed building in the grounds, was to be formally cautioned for his involvement. (Sources: LPA & The Northern Echo ) Harrow London Borough Council [03-2001] Warren House Estate, Stanmore. Locally listed within a conservation area. For failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice for unauthorised alterations to their unlisted property in the Kerry Avenue Conservation Area, Stanmore, Mr. Shahjahan Ahmade and his estranged wife Mrs. Durdana Ahmade were fined £2,100 with £1,359 costs. The property was one of six distinctive houses, all locally listed built in 1937 for Sir John Fitzgerald, to challenge the perceived blandness of suburban architecture. Known initially as the Warren House Estate, they were designed by leading architect Gerald Lacoste MBE, FRIBA, FRSA in the International style, combining geometric lines and curves with contemporary building materials. Lacoste (1908-1983) qualified in 1930, aged 22, and for two years was the youngest qualified person to hold the title ARIBA. The defendants bought the house in 1994 and it was one of several in that road and Valencia Road to fall within the conservation area designated in 1980 and covered by an Article 4 Direction. The distinctive Crittal steel windows were replaced with uPVC units and the characteristic smooth white render was replaced with pebble-dash. In February 1998 an Enforcement Notice was authorized and although the pebble-dash was removed and the defendants negotiated a change back to the original window pattern, the work was not carried out. In January 2001, the Council issues a summons for non-compliance and at Harrow Magistrates Court, Mrs. Ahmade accepted responsibility for non-compliance, pleased guilty and was fined £450 for each summons with £365 costs. Mr. Ahmade appeared at the same court in March 2001 and pleaded not guilty. His defense that he had done all he could within his financial circumstances was rejected by the magistrates after hearing that he owned five other houses and had nearly £1M in assets. He was convicted and fined £600 for each summons with £994 costs. (Source LPA).