R v Evetts
R v Evetts
A case heard in Gloucester Crown Court (heard in Winchester Crown Court) on 14 December 2023 between John Evetts and Cotswold District Council regarded unauthorised works to a Grade II listed building, Middle Hill Farm, Saintbury. This became national news as John Evetts was a key heritage adviser for the Landmark Trust and therefore knew that he was breaching planning laws. Between July 2020 and December 2021, Evetts undertook a wide range of works to the farmhouse without consent from Cotswold District Council. Pleading guilty, Evetts received a 12-month conditional discharge and is required to complete the outstanding works within this time. He was ordered to contribute £6,000 towards the council’s costs and pay a victim surcharge of £22.
I understand that this case is unreported, but more information can be found in this earlier appeal decision and via Cotswold District Council’s website: Appeal A Ref: APP/F1610/F/22/3301911 Middle Hill Farm, Saintbury, Broadway, Gloucestershire, WR12 7PX.
This article originally appeared in the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC’s) Context 179, published in March 2024. It was written by Alexandra Fairclough, conservation officer for Cheshire East, a lecturer and a member of the IHBC legal panel. A former planning inspector, she was called to the Bar in 2009, and before that was IHBC law and practice coordinator.
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation
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