Worksop: Man slapped with fine for turning property into stock car racing hub

Leigh Bower, of Coleridge Road, was prosecuted by Bassetlaw Council after it came to light that he was storing a large number of vehicles, including recovery trucks, at his property and working on them throughout the night.

His actions led to “numerous” complaints from residents about how these activities were having a detrimental impact on the area.

The council attempted to work with Bowyer and reached a compromise regarding the number and type of vehicles which could be kept at his property.

But investigation later found that Mr Bowyer was continuing to work on vehicles at his property in breach of the agreement.

Julie Leigh, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw Council, said: “Anti-social behaviour can take many forms, but it affects the lives of residents and has a negative impact upon the amenity of an area.

“We have a wide range of tools at our disposal and will robustly pursue those whose actions blight the lives of others.”

Following the investigation Bowyer was served with a Stop Notice which prohibited him from breaking, repairing and maintaining stock car or banger racing vehicles at his property.

He was also served with an Enforcement Notice which required him to remove all the parts, materials, tyres and scrap associated with the stock car and banger racing vehicles from his land.

But the ongoing investigation revealed that Bower continued to engage in activities at his property in breach of the terms of the notices.

Mr Bower pleaded not guilty to the breaches when his case was heard at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Friday, February 5.

Magistrates ageed that Bower was given ample time to rectify the planning breaches that there harm was being done to the residents’ enjoyment of their neighbourhood and properties due to the activities complained of.

He was handed a £500 fine for breach of enforcement, a £500 fine for breach of stop notice, a £50 victim surcharge and £2067.50 in prosecution costs- totalling £3,117.50.