Cleveleys couple bailed after childminding business breached planning laws

Daniel Irvin, 41, and wife Linda, 39, of Slinger Road in Cleveleys ran Fairy Godmother Childminding in Thornton, earning an estimated £220,000 over 75 weeks.

The Curlew Close property was subject to enforcement action by Wyre Council due to the absence of planning permission, District Judge Jane Goodwin was told at Blackpool Magistrates Court today.

The pair admitted two offences of breaching planning law.

The court heard from prosecutor David Traynor that the case against the Irwins had been going on for a year before they decided to plead guilty.

He successfully asked for the hearing to move to Preston Crown Court, where proceeds of crime applications (POCA) will be made.

The judge told the couple: "You continued to use the premises for a significant period of time. It upset and inconvenienced the neighbours.

"Driveways were blocked, and after some of them complained they received abuse from you."

Kathryn Jamieson-Sinclair, defending Linda Irvin, said: "When people complained she started to take the nursery children out to minimise the bother to the neighbours."

David Charnley, defending Daniel Irvin, said the pair had spent a lot of time "trying to find new premises."

The couple was bailed pending their appearance at Crown Court, after the judge added: "Had it not been for the POCA application I would have sentenced you both

today."

Wyre Council declined to comment on the case at this stage.