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North Devon Couple Get Suspended Jail Terms for Long-Running Planning Breaches

The council is moving to recover more than £30,000 through charges on the land.

Overview

  • Garry Braund and Tina Thorne admitted four breaches at Exeter County Court on March 24, receiving 42-day prison terms suspended for 12 months.
  • The sentence requires them to stay off the site and not undo any steps taken to comply with the enforcement notice.
  • The court ordered £8,088 to cover recent hearings, while North Devon Council pursues cumulative legal costs above £30,000 through charging orders on the property.
  • Planning enforcement began in December 2016 after officials found caravans, sheds, and a new vehicle access leading onto a blind bend at the Honey Hill site.
  • An August 2024 visit with police confirmed a concealed underground home covered with branches and netting, and the owner acknowledged living there in breach of planning rules.