Pub row pair face fine of up to £20k

Lawyers are trying to claw back money made through functions at a Black Country banqueting suite in the middle of a 10-year planning wrangle.

The move has been launched under Proceeds of Crime legislation against the two men behind the controversial project. The brothers also each face being fined up to £20,000.

Lal and Santokh Chander, aged 51 and 47, have already each been fined £5,000.

They have now been given two months to hand over details of money made at the Windsor Castle in Sams Lane, West Bromwich.

They appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court for sentence on Monday after breaching an enforcement notice ordering the demolition of the first floor of an extension.

Mark Jackson, prosecuting for Sandwell Council, said: "This is the second time they have been convicted of this offence but the building is still in situ."

The matter was adjourned to allow confiscation proceedings to be launched. The maximum fine for breaking an enforcement order is £20,000.

The men were given permission in 2002 to install a single storey extension but a two-storey structure was built, with the first floor used as a banqueting suite.

A retrospective planning application failed. Lal Chander, from Walter Street, West Bromwich, and his brother, of Castle Street, were handed an enforcement notice and ordered to demolish the first floor.

The pair admittedfailing to comply and were fined. Another hearing will take place on December 20.