Brighton estate agent fined over ‘for sale’ board in conservation area

A Brighton estate agency has been fined for putting up a “for sale” board in an area where they are banned.

Brighton magistrates fined Sawyer & Co Sales and Lettings £325 for putting up the board in Howard Place, near the Seven Dials.

The estate agency was also ordered to pay £610 in costs and a £32.50 victim surcharge.

A representative attended Brighton Magistrates’ Court and admitted the offence.

The court was told that Brighton and Hove City Council had warned Sawyer & Co about putting up boards in central residential conservation areas after a similar incident in nearby Buckingham Place.

Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, the chairman of the council’s Planning Committee, said: “This prosecution shows that our planning officers are committed to enforcing the ban on estate agent boards within the central conservation areas.

“I would like to thank the majority of estate agents who are complying with the regulations.

“This prosecution should give them confidence that court action will continue to be taken against those estate agents that fail to comply with the regulations.”

The case was heard on Thursday 8 August.