AN AMMANFORD man who was living in a caravan at a business premises without planning permission has been prosecuted.

Phillip Lewis pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates Court on Monday to breaching an enforcement notice issued by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The court heard that Mr Lewis was living in a caravan at the commercial premises Enclosure Tec in Shands Road, Ammanford, without the benefit of planning permission.

In addition he had attached an extension to the caravan, created an amenity space with several dog kennels, and also converted an office building into two residential flats both without the benefit of planning permission.

Mr Lewis was served with an enforcement notice seeking removal of the caravan and extension and to cease residential use of the land with which he did not comply. He was also required to revert the unauthorised residential flats to office space, with which he did comply.

He was fined £300, and ordered to pay £282.70 costs and a victim surcharge of £30.

Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for planning enforcement Councillor Jim Jones said: “The local authority takes enforcement of planning rules seriously and we will investigate all breaches of planning control. We will prosecute when necessary.”