A MAN who ignored a Pendle Council enforcement notice ordering him to take down a porch at the front of his home has appeared in court.

Peter Alfred Caulfield, 32, of Colne Lane, Colne, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a local planning authority enforcement notice.

After telling magistrates at Reedley that he misunderstood the allegations first time round and misread the council letter he was granted a 12-month conditional discharge with £40 costs.

He was warned that it was now even more important that he complied with the council order as the court could impose a fine of up to £20,000.

Peter Frost, prosecuting, said Pendle Council received a complaint in December, 1997, that a porch had been erected at Caulfield's address without planning permission.

In May, 1998, the council served a notice ordering him to carry out total demolition and removal of the debris and rubble within six months.

A planning officer visited the house in August this year and saw that nothing had been done.

Caulfield said: "I was led to believe the porch was OK. I misread the letter and misunderstood the allegations first time round.''

He said he was single, unemployed and on benefits of £51 a week of which £50 a week was used to pay his mortgage.

When asked how he lived in those circumstances he replied: "My mum and family are supporting me. All I can say is that I am skint.''

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