The owner of a neglected listed building in Cheltenham’s town centre has been fined for failing to carry out necessary repairs. Cheltenham Borough Council successfully prosecuted Stuart Thatcher, the owner of 5 Clarence Square, a property located within a designated conservation area.
Despite numerous warnings from the council’s planning enforcement team since 2017, the building’s condition steadily worsened. Mr. Thatcher pleaded guilty on June 9, 2025, at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court to breaching a Section 215 Notice. The notice mandated urgent repairs including making a structurally unsafe balcony safe, fixing loose render, repainting the exterior, and repairing damaged doors and windows.
He was fined £440, ordered to pay a £176 victim surcharge, and liable for £2,000 in council costs, totaling a £2,616 penalty.
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Council leader Rowena Hay (LD, Oakley) emphasized the importance of maintaining listed buildings, stating, “These historic buildings are an essential part of Cheltenham’s heritage. Neglect not only damages the building itself but also impacts the surrounding area. This prosecution makes clear that such neglect will not be tolerated.”
Cheltenham Borough Council will continue to monitor 5 Clarence Square to ensure all repairs are completed promptly.