A POPULAR farm shop branded a "mini-Tesco" has been targeted by council chiefs as part of a crackdown on illegal development across the Basildon district.

H.R Philpot and Son, which owns Barleylands Farm Shop, in Southend Road, Billericay, has been given just weeks to stop a string of activities at the site.

Basildon Council says these are running without planning permission.

Four enforcement orders have now been served on the firm which leases the business to shop managers.

To comply the firm must: l Remove a garden centre set up on farmland l Pull down a wooden building and steel-framed canopy used to extend the shop l Remove containers used as shop storage l Remove all goods being sold and displayed across the shop's car park.

Both the Philpots and shop staff refused to comment.

David McPherson-Davis, Ramsden Crays Parish Council chairman, has previously written to the council pressing for action.

He said: "At long last something is being done.

"It has got to the stage where it is like a mini-Tesco down there."

If the firm does not appeal it will have until mid-October to comply. Council leader Malcolm Buckley said the action showed the authority was committed to dealing with any breach of planning regulations across the district regardless of who the offender was.

He said: "We will take the necessary action to ensure compliance without fear or favour."

Residents have also been targeted in the clampdown.

  • Christine Burridge from Barclay Road, Bowers Gifford, has been ordered to take down a mobile building being used as a home on land near her house, remove hardstanding and stop storing vehicles on the site.
  • The Darling family from Elmtree Road, Basildon, have been given until next Tuesday to reduce the height of the roof of the extension in their garden, which had planning permission at a lower height.
  • Doug Dunn from Wash Road, Basildon, faces a planning inquiry on September 5. He was forced to stop work on an extension to his home by a council order, but has appealed other notices ordering it to be demolished.
  • In June, Keith Plenty was fined £16,000 at Basildon Magistrates Court after refusing to dismantle a loft conversion built without permission.