Three fined hundreds for failing to clear up their eyesore gardens

A man and woman from Chatham and a man from Rochester have been fined hundreds of pounds after ignoring warnings to clear up their eyesore gardens.

Following complaints from residents, Medway Council wrote to Paul and Cherie Allingham of St Leonards Avenue, Chatham, in July 2017 asking them to clear up their overgrown rear eyesore gardens and untidy front garden. Officers continued to visit the property and sent the Allinghams warning letters, but the gardens remained in an unsatisfactory condition. In November 2017, Medway Council served them a section 215 notice which stated that they had until 25 December 2017 to bring the gardens to an acceptable standard, after which further action would be taken.

They ignored the notice and were summonsed to court on Monday, 25 June. The case was proved in their absence and they were each fined £500 and ordered to pay £434.07 court costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

John Crow, aged 55, of Haig Avenue, Rochester has also been fined hundreds of pounds for failing to clear his gardens.

Medway Council sent Crow a letter in June 2017 asking him to clear up his overgrown gardens. He ignored the letter, and after council officers carried out further inspections, and sent further warnings, he was served a section 215 notice in October which stated that Crow had until 28 November 2017 to bring the gardens to an acceptable standard. Officers visited the property on 30 November but the gardens remained in an unsatisfactory condition.

He was summonsed to Medway Magistrates Court on Monday, 25 June, and the case was proved in his absence.

Magistrates fined Crow £500 and ordered him to pay 424.12 court costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

‘We are committed to keeping Medway clean and tidy’

Cllr Jane Chitty, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Enforcement, said:

“Everyone has a responsibility to keep Medway clean and tidy and those who ignore our letters and notices will be prosecuted. We are committed to keeping Medway clean and tidy.”

 

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