An Anglesey councillor has been given more time to clear a site which was converted into a car boot sale without planning permission.

Cllr Eric Wyn Jones was  alleged to have allowed the work –  including removing topsoil and placing aggregates, as well as widening road access and installing new gates – at a field he owns on the outskirts of Llanfairpwll known as Cae Prytherch.

This prompted an Anglesey Council investigation which resulted in an enforcement notice compelling Cllr Jones, who sits on the authority’s planning committee, to convert the land back to its original state including the removal of all portacabins, portable floodlights and portable toilets stored there.

But, having been given just three months to comply with the order, a subsequent appeal has seen the planning inspectorate fall on the side of Cllr Jones after he asked for  more time to clear the site.

Planning inspectors agreed with Cllr Jones that three months was not enough time to clear the site of all hard standing, deciding that six months was more appropriate – but still short of the nine months he had requested.

Elected in 2017 for the Bro Rhosyr ward, Cllr Jones, a member of the Anibynnwyr Mon group, listed ownership of Cae Prytherch on his register of interests and was also named as the appellant.

The appeal attracted several letters of objection from local residents, however.

In a letter, Cllr Meirion Jones said that he’d been “very disappointed” with the actions of Cllr Jones, adding: “The changes to the land are unsightly and have disturbed the amenities and enjoyment of many people unnecessarily.

“Many people, including neighbours, local residents and wider constituents have complained about the changes and are looking forward to the land returning to its original condition.

“Eric Wyn Jones is therefore expected to comply with the county council order within the original period and there is no reason to extend those three months.”

But the report, compiled by inspector Declan K Beggan, noted Cllr Jones’ clams that he had to identify a location for the hard surface material to be disposed to before its removal, and that the drainage condition of the land means that any work could only be undertaken during the summer months.

Adding concerns over reseeding if the works had to take place over the winter, Mr Beggan concluded that Coronavirus was also a factor in the availability of contractors to undertake the work.

“In this instance, I must balance the council’s reason for issuing the notice in the public interest against the burden placed on the appellant,” he said.

“Having particular regard to the situation, because of the coronavirus and the associated uncertainty in terms of him complying with the requirements of the notice, I am satisfied that the compliance period should be extended.

“The breach and the harm it causes should not be allowed to continue unduly and I consider an extended period of six months to allow for the works to be carried out would strike the appropriate balance.

“In this regard, I consider this extended timeframe would also give a reasonable period for sourcing of a site to dispose of any material and allow for the works to be carried out when the weather is likely to be more favourable in terms of the ground conditions and reseeding.”

A spokesman for the Planning Inspectorate confirmed that the notice takes effect on the date of the appeal decision, so calendar months from the date of the decision would mean that Cllr Jones has to carry out the work by December 22, 2020.