Man who breached orders told to pay nearly £6k

The latest breach related to between March 2021 and March 2025 on land in Arborfield

A man has been told to pay nearly £6,000 after he repeatedly failed to comply with orders to stop keeping vehicles, caravans and storage containers on land.

Simon McNiffe, of Winton Road, Reading, admitted two charges of breaching enforcement notices relating to the land at Oakland Nursery in Church Lane, Arborfield.

He was successfully prosecuted in June 2019 for a similar offence, with the latest breaches taking place between March 2021 and March 2025.

McNiffe was ordered to pay Wokingham Council's legal and investigatory costs of £3,120, £2,666 in fines and a £190 victim surcharge at Reading Magistrates' Court last month, a total of £5,976.

"The result underlines the council's determination to take action against people who ignore planning laws," an authority statement said.

"In rural areas, this can have significant negative impacts on communities and the environment. The council will always act to protect them in the borough, in instances like this."