‘We will protect our heritage’ – Council’s pledge as Shrubland Hall owner fined 

Mid Suffolk District Council took action after becoming aware that a timber-framed storage building had been built in the grounds of the stately home in Barham, and a portable cabin also moved onto the estate.

Neither had planning permission, with the portable cabin located next to a Grade II listed coach house, but the council’s requests for them to be removed proved unsuccessful.

Enforcement notices were then served on the estate owner, the British Institute of Technology Ltd, and its directors, asking for the structures and their concrete bases to be demolished.

On Wednesday 25 September, both the business and one of its directors appeared before Suffolk Magistrates’ Court, each facing a total of eight charges in relation to failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

The British Institute of Technology Ltd, of Romford Road, London, admitted all eight charges. It had previously pleaded not guilty.

All eight charges against Professor Muhammad Farmer, 54, of Romford Road, London, which he had previously denied, were dismissed by the court after no evidence was offered. Professor Farmer is a director of the company.

The business was fined £450 for each of the eight offences, totalling £3,600. It must also pay a surcharge of £1,440 and council costs of £875. All must be paid within 28 days.

Following the case, Cllr Andrew Stringer, cabinet member for heritage, planning and infrastructure, said:

“The action taken shows how serious we are about protecting our district’s precious heritage.

“These were flagrant breaches of planning laws. The fact they happened in the grounds of Shrubland Hall - one of the finest properties in Suffolk – only adds insult to injury.

“It is important to stress we will always try to work with people to resolve issues before we take enforcement action, and we would rather things didn’t reach this stage.

“We will now continue to take all the appropriate steps to ensure the structures are removed once and for all.”

Shrubland Hall was placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 2021. While the hall itself is Grade II* listed, the registered park and garden is Grade I listed.

Pictures: the timber-framed storage shed and portable cabin in the grounds of Shrubland Hall