Bed business given £22k fine

Highgrove Beds Limited, in Spen Lane, Cleckheaton, was penalised for working outside its restricted hours on 14 occasions in October last year.

The business was also fined for the same offence on one occasion in January this year.

It was found guilty of working outside of its permitted hours of 7.30am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays and 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Highgrove, which was brought to court by Kirklees Council, was fined £22,370 at Kirklees Magistrates Court on Monday.

The business initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “Investigations revealed Highgrove Beds Limited were operating their business in breach of conditions attached to planning permission granted as a result of an appeal to the planning inspectorate last year.

“Concern over noise disturbance from activity within the car park and loading areas led to planning restrictions on HGV activity during evening hours and weekends.

“Following legal proceedings taken by the council, Highgrove Beds Limited were charged with 15 counts of breaching these hours and having attended court the company pled guilty to all offences.”

The company had an application rejected to extend its working hours, including evenings and more hours at weekends, in 2012.