Caravan planning fine cut

Caravan planning fine cut

A Leicestershire man ordered to pay £10,000 for illegally living in a caravan has had the fine dramatically reduced.

John Foxon lives with his seriously ill wife on land in Sapcote which is meant for agricultural use only.

Mr and Mrs Foxon have lived in their caravan for more than 10 years but the site does not have any planning permission.

The fine was reduced to £200 by the Court of Appeal this week.

Last August Leicester Crown Court fined Mr Foxon £10,000 for breaching planning enforcement notices issued by Blaby District Council.

Mr Foxon faced six months in jail if he did not pay the fine.

Awaiting contact

This would have meant his wife, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, going into care.

Mr Foxon expressed his delight at the Appeal Court's decision.

He said: "It's a big relief. I had resolved myself that I was not going to get anything and in fact they could have increased the fine had they wanted to.

"But its like a new life now. Obviously the council could still prosecute as we still have to sort out the planning dispute but I'd like to think they will be reluctant to go down that route again.

"They should just give me planning permission like they give it to everyone else."

Mr Foxon says he is awaiting further contact from the council, which so far has not commented.