THE owner of an “eyesore” building left to crumble by the side of a railway line is facing legal action.

Arun District Council has taken Harry Quince to court after he failed to meet its conditions to improve the state of The Gates in North End Road, Yapton.

The authority’s planning compliance team first made contact with Mr Quince in 2011 but despite ongoing dialogue, the owner has failed to carry out the necessary work voluntarily or even after an enforcement notice was issued in October 2015.

Mr Quince pleaded not guilty at Horsham Magistrates’ Court on Monday but was found guilty and fined £265 as well as being ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and council costs of £850.

Councillor John Charles, cabinet member for planning, said “This site has been an eyesore for a number of years and anyone that has sat in their car at the Yapton Level Crossing when the barriers are down will be very familiar with it.”