Lib Dems Demand Court Action Now over Roswell Pits

5.02.27pm GMT Mon 2nd Nov 2009

Ely businessman, Jeremy Tyrrell, should be prosecuted for failing to make good work carried out without permission at Roswell Pits.

Furious Liberal Democrats have called on East Cambridgeshire District Council to take the case to court as a matter of urgency.

They have accused the Tory administration of dragging its feet after it failed to enforce demands for Mr Tyrrell to remove electrical and water cables and gravel parking areas by October 1 or face court action.

More than three weeks after the deadline passed, no action has been taken by East Cambridgeshire District Council.

Now East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats have called on the council to let the magistrates decide.

Ely West Councillor Sheila Friend-Smith said: "The deadline has passed, the work has not been carried out and yet the council has failed to act.

"Mr Tyrrell is riding rough shod over the planning rules and the council is standing back and letting it happen. It needs to take this case to court now to get it settled once and for all."

Councillor Sue Austen, who also represents Ely West, said: "Mr Tyrrell has been given every opportunity to address this issue and has failed to do so. The council must act now to protect Roswell Pits and enforce planning law.

"This cannot be allowed to go on any longer. Roswell Pits was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest to give it protection and the council has its part to play. There should be no more talking; the time has come to let the court decide."