A Shropshire farmer has been ordered to pay fines and costs of more than £45,000 for demolishing a Grade II listed dovecote on his land without consent.
The case was brought by Shropshire Council against Philip Terrance Gore of Lower Newton Farm, Yockleton, Shropshire, who was sentenced at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court in April.
Any building work that affects the character or appearance of a building that is listed as nationally important for its architectural or historic interest requires listed building consent.
What happened to the listed dovecote?
Mr Gore had previously admitted demolishing the dovecote. English nobility built dovecotes as a way to house pigeons or birds – and this particular structure was believed to date from the late 17th century.
It was the last remaining building associated with an ancient moated farmstead that once existed at the site, according to Shropshire Council.
Shropshire Council became aware of the offence when Mr Gore sought planning permission a for a new grain store on the site.
‘One of the worst examples of deliberate damage to a listed building in decades'
Officers arrived at the farm in March 2022 only to discover the dovecote had been demolished and the site had been levelled for the new building.
Chris Schofield, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member planning and regulatory services, said: "Altering or demolishing a listed building without consent is a criminal offence.
“We have not taken the decision to prosecute Mr Gore lightly. This case will have long-term consequences for both him and his farm business.
“However, this was one of the worst examples of deliberate damage and destruction to a listed building seen in the county in recent decades.”
Farmer forced to pay over £45k in damages
Mr Gore was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay a contribution towards the council’s cost of £15,000, plus a victims surcharge of £190 – a total of £45,190.
The judge said that the fine for such an offence should be more than any potential financial gain by the defendant for the offence, and that the fine should also act as a deterrent against the commission of similar offences.
All owners of listed buildings, including those in the farming community, are encouraged to undertake routine repairs and maintenance on a regular basis, the council added.
