New data has revealed the local authorities which have handed out the highest number of fines to owners of listed buildings, under the Planning Act 1990, with Ipswich Borough Council, Maldon District Council and Westminster City Council ranking on top.

Breathable paint supplier, Earthborn, has investigated which local authorities have given the highest number of fines to owners of listed buildings, the reasons why owners are most commonly fined as well as what the highest penalty recorded is for a painting-related offence.

The local authorities which have handed out the highest number of recorded fines to date, according to The Institute of Historic Building Conservation
Ranking
Local authority
Number of penalties
=1
Ipswich Borough Council
7
=1
Maldon District Council
7
=1
Westminster City Council
7
=2
Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council
5
=2
Newark and Sherwood
5
=2
Salisbury
5
=2
Thanet
5
=2
DoE Northern Ireland
5

The most common recorded reason for penalties to be handed out historically was a ‘complete demolition’, which ranges from owners, builders and architects demolishing buildings to demolishing barns, garages and glasshouses.

This was followed by unauthorised internal and external modifications, which includes breaches such as fitting new windows without permission, as well as any offences recorded which contain both an internal and external offence, such as carrying out an unauthorised extension as well as interior alterations.

Ranking in third was unauthorised internal modifications such as the removal of ceilings, partitions, walls, floors, staircases and internal painting without prior approval.