'Unsafe' flats developer to be taken back to court

A developer convicted of health and safety offences faces renewed legal action over a block of flats.

Marcus Fielding was found guilty on 24 June of failing to prevent people being put in danger by the "unsafe" six-storey building in Job's Lane, Kettering, Northamptonshire.

North Northamptonshire Council staff were concerned about the standard of building work and said planning permission had not been granted for six storeys.

A spokesperson from the local authority said: "We are making a revised application to return the matter back to the courts to enable us to secure the site and are awaiting a court date."

The authority took High Court action, and in late 2023, a judge ruled that Fielding, as well as Michigan Construction, Fielding's company, was in breach of planning conditions and building regulations and said the block should be demolished.

The 53-year-old of Job's Yard, Kettering, had denied the offences during his trial at Northampton Magistrates' Court.

Fielding told the judge he took steps to ensure the building was "safe and secure" and said no-one had been hurt.

He apologised to neighbours for the "disruption" but said he did not have the money to pay for demolition.

Fielding was released on bail and warned he could be given a jail term.

Sentencing is due to take place on 21 August.

The council issued a statement and claimed Fielding was still working on the site.

A spokesman said: "Despite the High Court ordering Mr Fielding to demolish the unsafe building, we are aware that Mr Fielding is continuing to work on the site and the council is monitoring the situation.

"Once the site is secured, it will become an active demolition site, so it will be unsafe for Mr Fielding to return and enter the site without prior agreement with the council and the demolition contractor."

Do you have a story suggestion for Northamptonshire? Contact us below.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.