A landowner has been ordered to pay a total of £1281 for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice put in place by the council.

The landowner, who owns the patch of land at the bottom of Stanley Front Street, has been taken to court by Durham County Council after allowing a substantial amount of waste to build up, which was leading to it becoming a hot spot for Anti Social Behaviour.

An investigation by council wardens was initially launched, which saw the landowner issued with a Community Protection Notice - which they didn't comply with.

Read more: Samuel Gibson died in A59 crash after drinking in York city centre

A Community Protection Warning and Notice was issued in April 2022, and a Fixed Penalty Notice was issued in May 2022, however, after having no response from the land owner, Neighbourhood Warden requested default to clear the land of waste and secure it.

It was revealed that the Defendant failed to attend court however the magistrates heard the case in their absence.

This led to the defendant receiving a fine of £660 (Band C due to the presence of asbestos) Costs of £555 and a £66 Victim Surcharge which totals £1281.

Following the court case, members of the public from Stanley have taken to social media to say how 'toxic' the land was becoming - including seeing a large increase in anti-social behaviour.