Colchester estate agent Saxons has been ordered to pay more than £3,000 after putting up “To Let” signs on flats without planning permission.

Saxons was fined by Colchester magistrates after pleading guilty to the offence of displaying an unauthorised “To Let” board on a property at Hythe Hill.

The successful prosecution was brought by Colchester Borough Council. Such advertisements on flats require the consent of the local planning authority to be displayed.

The case followed an earlier hearing last April, when the Council brought charges against four estate agents, including Saxons, for putting up signs without the authority’s permission.

William H Brown, Spicerhaart and David Martin group admitted the charges and were each fined £500 plus costs, while Saxons denied the accusations and were summoned to appear last week.

Saxons had been warned several times that the signs needed planning permission.

Magistrates fined the company £1000 and ordered it to pay £2047.90 in costs.