Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Temporary stop notice: offences

137.—(1) A person commits an offence if that person contravenes a temporary stop notice—

(a) which has been served on that person; or

(b) a copy of which has been displayed in accordance with section 135(5).

(2) Contravention of a temporary stop notice includes causing or permitting the contravention of the notice.

(3) An offence under this section may be charged by reference to a day or a longer period of time.

(4) A person may be convicted of more than one such offence in relation to the same temporary stop notice by reference to different days or periods of time.

(5) A person does not commit an offence under this section if that person proves—

(a) that the temporary stop notice was not served on him or her; and

(b) that that person did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, of its existence.

(6) A person convicted of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £100,000;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(7) In determining the amount of the fine the court must have regard in particular to any financial benefit which has accrued or has appeared to accrue to the person convicted in consequence of the offence.