A DEVELOPER who failed to comply with council orders to remove an unauthorised extension at his house in Alveston has been ordered pay almost £12,000 in fines and costs.

North Avon magistrates heard that Paul Richards carried out building work at at the property in Gloucester Road without planning permission and failed to comply with a council enforcement notice.

Richards admitted the non-compliance and was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £1,899 legal costs.

The penalty is one of the largest ever imposed by North Avon justices for a planning offence of this type.

The court was told that the enforcement notice was served on Richards in February 2007 after he carried out the unauthorised building work which he will now have to undo.

Cllr Brian Allinson, South Gloucestershire Council executive member for planning, transportation and the strategic environment, said: "It is very important to the council that developments are sensitive and respect the local environment."