COUNCIL officers could take matters into their own hands regarding a landowner who has allegedly flouted an enforcement order for more than two decades.

Planners agreed on Monday enough was enough with regard to land owner Stephen Cuthbert who, it was claimed, had still not got rid of vehicles and scrap metal from his Bell Busk site since he was taken to court in 1983 and again in August 2003.

Members of Craven District Council planning committee unanimously agreed to give officers delegated authority to clear the Raven Flatt site once a further prosecution was secured. It would be the first time the authority had taken such action.

The move comes after Mr Cuthbert was successfully prosecuted by the council in August 2003. He was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay court costs of £453.54 by Skipton magistrates.

At the time, Mr Cuthbert's solicitor, John Mewies, said: "To all intents and purposes he's a one man band who has been affected by certain problems with his health but more importantly severely restricted in his ambitions due to lack of capital."

But assistant solicitor Annette Moppett told planning members on Monday officers had noted little improvement to the site when they visited in January this year.

Coun David Crawford said: "We're a laughing stock and this guy is running rings around us. It is a tip and remains a tip. For the first time, this authority will have to clear this site and send the bill to the owner.

"It's the longest running enforcement. It is an imposition on the public and parish council. We should do it first and then you argue the toss afterwards."

Coun Crawford also questioned why photographic evidence required for a further prosecution had still not been gathered by the council.

Members were told once photographic evidence was secured, hopefully by the end of this week, a further prosecution would go ahead.

Despite the council successfully prosecuting Mr Cuthbert on two occasions, it needs a further prosecution before it can proceed with the site clearance because the first court case was more than 20 years ago.

Coun Crawford added: "Can we please get on with this and be sure it goes ahead as soon as possible before the residents of Bell Busk take action themselves? They are so cross to see the failings of this authority."

In a letter to the council dated February 16, Mr Cuthbert, of Eshton Road, Gargrave, said he had developed a hernia "caused by trying to shift something too heavy".

He added: "Tidying at Bell Busk continues at varying rates, doubtless not fast enough but in the circumstances pretty fair. A difference should be noted by the end of February."