Wiltshire landowner faces jail over woodland development

Stephen Windsor, the owner of land known as Quarry Woods at Quarry Hill in Box, has been slapped with a 21-day suspended prison sentence for failing to remove his unlawful development on the land.

Following a hearing at Bristol High Court, he must now remove the structure by April 30 or face 21 days in prison.

Windsor must also pay Wiltshire Council £10,000 in costs within 14 days, following successful enforcement by the council’s officers.

A High Court injunction had previously ordered Windsor to remove a wooden toilet block on the site by May 5, which he did, but he failed to remove the wooden jetty platform it sat on, leading to further legal action.

The landowner previously told this paper he wanted to transform the area into an accessible woodland for disabled people, starting with the completion of a tool shed equipped with a composting toilet, for which he did not have planning permission.

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The unlawful development in Box (Image: Wiltshire Council) He was found guilty of failing to comply with an enforcement notice to permanently demolish the buildings at Salisbury Magistrates Court in February 2023.

Windsor vowed to fight the council “all the way” but an appeal ruled in the local authority’s favour.

Cllr Nick Botterill, cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “This sentence underlines our firm stance on unauthorised buildings in Wiltshire.

“It’s unfortunate that the case has got to this stage, but I’d like to commend the persistence and dedication of our Planning Enforcement team in pursuing this case.”

Wiltshire Council says it has acted to protect the woodland, which is home to a rare species of bat.

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The unlawful development in Box (Image: Wiltshire Council) Cllr Botterill added: “Although the structures may be small, they were built without permission in highly protected deciduous woodlands.

“The site holds multiple designations, including a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the North Wiltshire Greenbelt, and a Special Area of Conservation.

“It also serves as a critical habitat for ten percent of the UK's greater horseshoe bat population, one of our rarest species.

“Wiltshire Council has a legal duty to protect these spaces and uphold planning law.”

 Cllr Botterill added that the council will continue to carry out enforcement against those building without planning permission in Wiltshire, particularly in protected areas.

He said: “Our message is clear: Unauthorised building will not be tolerated in Wiltshire and we will use all available legal powers to enforce planning regulations.”