A greedy property tycoon who horrified Yorkshire villagers by flattening their 200-year-old pub has been handed a £54,000 fine after not obtaining planning permission.
Wayne Low (48), a property developer, demolished the historical Travellers Rest pub in Long Riston, east Yorkshire last year despite numerous pleas for him not to.
Low, of Molescroft in Beverley, admitted not having obtained planning permission to demolish this pub on January 30, 2020.
Property developer Wayne Low, 48, (pictured) has been handed a £54,000 fine after not obtaining planning permission before he demolished a 200-year-old pub in Yorkshire
He was fined £32,000 and was ordered to pay £21,968 costs. His company AGML (UK) was not subject to a separate penalty.
Recorder Tahir Khan, QC stated that the harm done to a heritage asset was made worse by the fact that the object was intended to make money and, without doubt, the construction of something that would generate profits.
When workmen showed up to turn off the power, locals were alerted. This happened shortly after the New Year 2020.
Killian Garvey was the East Riding Council prosecutor. She stated that the pub had been demolished between November 2019 – February 2018.
Low was warned by officials that he was committing an infraction and that he should stop demolishment that was continuing on January 30, last year.
Despite his pleas to stop, he flattened the historic Travellers Rest Pub (pictured above), in Long Riston East Yorkshire on the 30th of January last year.
Low, of Molescroft, Beverley, admitted he didn’t have planning permission to flatten the pub (pictured during demolition) and was fined £32,000 and ordered to pay £21,968 costs
Garvey said, “He refused that.” ‘He was informed explicitly that he was committing an offence to demolish this pub.
The work was carried out without the approval of the East Riding Council or planning permission.
Low was later ordered to rebuild the ‘heritage asset’ – which was the only pub in the village of Long Riston, and was in the local conservation area.
After a lengthy legal battle, he converted the only surviving wing from the 18th century building to a micro-pub.
Hull Crown Court heard, however, that planning officials at council were still unhappy and that people were still complaining.
Recorder Tahir Khan QC stated that the harm done to a heritage property was ‘exacerbated’ because the property developer wanted to make money.
Brian Skow, local councillor, said that he had never seen villagers so upset. It was a great pub.
The pub, which was established in the early 1800s, was closed in 2018 and was not listed. However, it was included in the village conservation zone.
Low claimed in mitigation that he had a “genuine passion” for historic buildings.
In July 2002, eight cases were heard at Scarborough magistrates Court. They involved clearing an area for a holiday spot, killing great crested newts, and destroying habitats.