A barn owner who illegally carried out renovations to his property has been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £1,440 legal costs.

Graham Toms, of Bentley Road, Willesborough, failed to obtain planning approval before renovating his barn in Canterbury Road, Brabourne.

The proposal to convert it into residential use was deemed as out of character with the area.

Ashford Borough Council served Mr Toms with an enforcement notice on the unauthorised works in September 2005. He appealed but this was dismissed and a retrospective application also was refused.

In July 2007, a site inspection by planning officers revealed that the requirements of the enforcement notice had been ignored, which left the council no option but to take legal action.

Mr Toms was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £1,440 in legal costs.

Cllr John Kemp, portfolio holder for planning and development, said: “This case should act as a lesson to anyone who thinks they can make significant changes to their property without following the correct procedures.

“Ashford council takes a strong line on inappropriate development in the countryside.”