Ignoring planners has landed Malmesbury property developer Frank Faryab with a bill of nearly £8,000. And the 56-year-old, of Oxford Street, was told he faced a three month jail term if he didn't pay a £4,000 fine within the next two months.

Faryab was sentenced by a judge at Swindon Crown Court after admitting breaching an enforcement notice issued in February 2003 by district council planners.

The offence related to work carried out on The Manse, a corner property on Oxford Street next to the Moravian Church.

Simon Goodman, prosecuting, said Faryab had submitted a number of planning applications for renovations to the Grade II-listed building.

But planners rejected some of the changes to the building, including installing three dormer windows in the roof at the front. Faryab and his builder carried on with the work and after an appeal the planning inspectorate ruled against him.

He was told to remove the three windows in the front, south elevation and alter others.

Faryab originally denied the matter but changed his plea to guilty.