The landlord of a business property in Chorlton has been handed a substantial fine after it failed to comply with a planning notice.
In October 2020 Manchester City Council granted planning permission to the operators of Dough House to construct a canopy around the exterior of a building at 93-95 Beech Road, Chorlton.
However, in November of that year the Council’s planning service was made aware that the building work which was then under way did not resemble the specifications set out in the original planning permission application.
On July 21, 2021 the Council issued an Enforcement Notice which instructed the landowner – J.B Richardsons (Bakers) Limited, of Marmion Drive, Manchester – to dismantle and remove a canopy and fixed seating area which had been constructed contrary to planning permission.
The notice provided the landowner and operator six months to comply.
Although the canopy was eventually removed by March 1, 2024 this was well outside the six-month time limit to comply, by which point legal proceedings had already begun.
At a hearing held before Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 6, 2025, J.B Richardsons (Bakers) Limited pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a planning notice.
They were ordered to pay a fine of £10,000, court costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £2,000.
Councillor Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development, said: “The Council has made no secret that we take a zero-tolerance approach to planning breaches.
“The rules around planning are in place for a very good reason, often providing safeguards and reassurance to residents who could otherwise be negatively impacted by rogue developments.
“In this case there was no excuse from the building’s owners for failing to comply with this order, and as a result they have paid the price in court.”
