Sopers Yard, 155 Bell Lane, Hendon, was being used for multiple purposes including open-air storage, waste transfer and processing, and a used car sales lot without planning permission.
A local businessman from Hendon has been ordered to pay £25,835, after pleading guilty to operating a used car yard, which was dubbed ‘unlawful’ and a ‘nuisance’ by residents.
Aaron Schwebel, who managed the 'Car Joint' dealership on behalf of Buren Holdings Limited, a Gibraltar-based offshore company, was issued a notice by Barnet Council in January 2020 to cease use of the land, following complaints and a request to investigate a potential breach of planning control.
The land at Sopers Yard, 155 Bell Lane was being used for multiple purposes including open-air storage, waste transfer and processing, and a used car sales lot without planning permission.
Many residents had complained of being disturbed by the comings and goings of vehicles, a party bus regularly parked outside the yard, preparation and delivery of vehicles to be sold, and the use of jet wash equipment.
Mr Schwebel appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 20 February 2025, where he pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the requirements of an Enforcement Notice issued by the council.
Cllr Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council, said: "The defendant chose to ignore the action being taken against them, and to continue running this car yard for multiple uses which were clearly affecting residents living nearby.
“Planning regulations are there for a reason and this prosecution sends out a very clear message to anyone intent on flouting the law that we will take action, and that ultimately we will bring them before the courts if they refuse to do what is required.”
Mr Schewbel claimed that there was already an existing planning permission in place for 30-40 years, as the site was previously used by the council to store parks maintenance vehicles. He also claimed that he had informed and obtained ‘letters of consent from 90 per cent of people in Kings Close’, the road situated behind Sopers Yard.
Council officers concluded that there was ‘no lawful use’ of the land and ‘no planning permission had been granted and therefore there was a breach of planning control.’ The notice was appealed by Mr Schwebel, but was rejected by the planning inspectorate.
The use of the land was also found to be causing harm to ‘highway safety, character and appearance, the living conditions of nearby residents and biodiversity.’
Last year, Barnet Council became the first council in the country to launch a new system designed to make it easier for residents to appeal planning decisions and report a planning breach: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control