A BOROUGH landowner and leisure facility operator appears happy to pay a potential £20,000 fine rather than observe a Thurrock Council order to stop developing a rural site for caravans or mobile homes.

Earlier this month the council issued a stop notice on the site at Walton Hall, Waltons Hall Road, Linford, having been informed the site is being developed to take a number of residential caravans, despite not having planning permission.

The marketing of new homes on the site has begun.

Currently the buildings at Walton Hall include number of small businesses, a nursery and a tea room. There is also a small guest house.

The owner is hoping to expand the site, hence the plan to put more accommodation on the site. 'Luxury park homes' at Walton hall Farm are already being marketed. 

The company's website says: "Walton Hall Farm Residential Park presents a serene and picturesque living experience.

"This new development offers residents the perfect blend of countryside tranquillity and modern convenience, set within the beautiful and historic setting of Walton Hall Farm."

That is despite no planning permission being granted. The council says activities specified in its notice, issued on Friday, 15 November, should immediately cease on the land.

It added the 'The Council now prohibits the carrying out of the uses and activities specified in this notice'.

The authority's assistant director of Legal and Governance, Helen Nicol, has given specific instructions:-

i. Operational development involving the construction of concrete pads in the area outlined in GREEN on the attached plan.

ii. Material change of use of the land CROSS-HATCHED BLACK on the attached plan for the creation of caravan and or mobile home siting by the construction of concrete pads.

iii. Engineering development by the movement within the Site and/or importation of earth, hardcore and other materials associated with i. and ii together with the preparation work of the concrete pads constructed within the area shown outlined GREEN on the attached plan

The full notice can be viewed via this link.

However, work appears not to have stopped. Residents say large vehicles were being used over the weekend - with workers continuing to work on the concrete slabs as recently as this morning (Wednesday, 27 November).

The warning to the site operators, Walton Hall Manor Country Park Limited, a part of Monte Carlo Parks Limited. says: "If you then fail to comply with the temporary stop notice you will be at risk of immediate prosecution in the Magistrates' Court, for which the maximum penalty is £20,000 on summary conviction for a first offence and for any subsequent offence. The fine on conviction on indictment is unlimited."