A LANDLORD has been prosecuted for leaving a building looking ‘like a slum’ on a historic square.

Colin Hooper, 43, was told repeatedly by Hyndburn Council to tackle the scruffy taxi office in Great Harwood’s Town Hall Square, next to some of the borough’s most imposing buildings.

The office, next to Great Harwood Town Hall which was recently given a £500,000 makeover, has been re-rendered and painted since court action was launched. However he was made to pay over £1,600 by Blackburn Magistrates Court after failing to comply with a notice requiring him to repair the building.

In sentencing, District Judge Mark Fenning took account of two previous, similar convictions relating to the Sausage Casing Factory, off Noble Street, Rishton which was left covered with rubble.

Hyndburn Council argued that the poor condition of the building had a ‘depressing impact’ on Town Hall Square, which is part of the Great Harwood Town Centre Conservation Area,.

It also informed the court that Mr Hooper had failed to comply with the notice, which required tidying up of redundant fixtures, repair of render, painting the render, painting external joinery and provision of a new rainwater pipe.

Deputy council leader Clare Pritchard said: “Properties in disrepair have a negative impact on an area and we’ve always said we would take a hard line on those who let their properties fall into disrepair and take them to court where necessary. “ Great Harwood Councillor Peter Clarke said: “It has taken ages to get this property repaired. Even when work was done, the scaffolding would go up and the render removed, but it would then get left like that for months.

“Obviously we don’t want something resembling a slum in the centre of town. The Town Hal looks better than ever and the square is our greatest asset.”

District Judge Mark Fenning agreed with the council that Mr Hooper had failed to comply with the notice and was guilty of an offence under Section 216 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Mr Hooper was fined £610 with £15 victim surcharge and was ordered to pay £1,000 in prosecution costs.