Wiltshire Council’s Planning Enforcement team has successfully taken direct action to clear a severely neglected domestic garden in Trowbridge, following repeated failures by the party response for the property to comply with legal requirements.

Last month, the council intervened to clear both the front and rear gardens of a vacant property that had become a persistent eyesore and source of concern for local residents.

The condition of the land was found to significantly harm the visual amenity of the surrounding area, prompting enforcement under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act.

Despite being given the opportunity to voluntarily address the issue, the empty property’s responsible party failed to take action. As a result, the council exercised its legal powers to carry out the necessary work directly. The work restored the appearance of the property, improving the local community.

To ensure public funds are protected, a charge will now be placed on the property to recover the full costs incurred by the council.

Cllr Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing, said: “This untidy and overgrown garden was affecting the local community and so we took action.

“The condition of this property had become a real concern for local residents, and I’m pleased we’ve been able to step in and resolve it.

“We will continue to use our enforcement powers and take decisive action wherever necessary when neglect impacts the wider community.”