Stephanie Dale faces fines over illegal stables built on protected greenbelt land in Astbury, ignoring council orders for years.
Stephanie Dale, age 40, ignored the council when they told her to tear down the stable. She didn’t have permission to build it in Astbury, near Congleton. The court learned Dale had worked with horses since age 20. She was allowed one stable, but she added a second without asking. She has three children.
Officials told the court the dispute began in 2016. They issued two orders to Dale, requiring her to remove the stables, the base, and a caravan. Dale lost her appeal and was fined £1,000 in 2018 for ignoring the orders. She moved the caravan but still did not tear down the stables, and was charged again later.
Now, she’s been found guilty in her absence for breaking a new order and must pay another £1,100. Court costs add £2528.22 more. Dale sent a doctor’s note citing anxiety and depression, claiming she had a hospital appointment, but the court still went ahead without her.
People tried to ask her about it at home, but she was not available to give a statement. The court heard Dale co-owned the land with “Mr. Foster”, but she made all the decisions on the project.
The prosecutor gave details that notices occurred in December 2016, and Stephanie Dale appealed them. Her appeal failed, and the order remained valid. She removed the caravan around September 2022. Dale had not followed the first order and offered no explanation, which lasted a very long time.
A planning officer spoke about permission existing for horses, and stables fit within that plan to protect them from the weather. The problem was the extra stable, which damaged the protected green space, an area with limits to development. Dale had to demolish the extra stable, remove its concrete base, and remove all materials.
The other order involved a caravan and the utilities installed there. Miss Dale appealed both orders, but both were dismissed. She followed one order after the appeal but did not follow the stable order. The council worker visited the site and found the notice wasn’t followed.
He emailed Dale in January 2024, reminding her to follow the order. He visited again in February 2024 and found one stable building remained.
Actions stem from harm caused, and council staff decide if action is needed and if harm has been done. They decide about conditions, which can make building OK. If conditions can’t fix the harm, they reject the plan.
An inspector hears both sides, and then their conclusion is whether permission should exist. As far as they knew, Dale was in change and drove all building activities. That’s the whole situation!