Penalties

All of the criminal offences mentioned in this section on planning offences can be prosecuted in the Magistrates' Court and in the Crown Court.  More serious offences will be dealt with in the Crown Court.  The powers of sentencing of the courts for these offences include:

• Fines of up to £5,000 per offence in the Magistrates' Court for most offences.

• Unlimited fines in the Crown Court.

• For listed buildings offences - up to three months imprisonment and/or fines of up to £5,000 per offence in the Magistrates' Court.

• For listed buildings offences - up to 12 months imprisonment per offence and/or unlimited fines in the Crown Court.