A CONTROVERSIAL court battle to get a 'gobsmacked' dad to move his 'dilapidated' campervan off his own driveway has cost taxpayers more than £1,200, we can reveal.

Mike Perkins was able to return his beloved 'Bunty' back on his driveway in Cranham Drive in Warndon, Worcester in May as we reveal the full costs of the legal clash.

After he cleared his drive and carried out work on the  1972 Ford Transit Landliner CI Motorhome, the council decided the vehicle was no longer dilapidated and he could park it there again - in other words that he had effectively complied with their notice.

Because the 63-year-old father-of-three agreed to withdraw his appeal, due to be heard in court on Tuesday, May 14, against the notice, a further costly court hearing did not go ahead which would have pushed costs up even further. 

BEWILDERED: Mike Perkins cleared his drive in Cranham Drive in Warndon but says it was not the best use of taxpayers' money BEWILDERED: Mike Perkins cleared his drive in Cranham Drive in Warndon but says it was not the best use of taxpayers' money (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Worcester News submitted a Freedom of Information Act 2000 to see how much the legal clash with Mr Perkins cost Worcester City Council and, by extension, the taxpayer.

As previously reported, Mr Perkins was the subject of civil court action over a section 215 notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, ordering him to improve the condition of the front garden by November 20 last year.

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: "Worcester City Council have spent £1,248 in external costs. Internal costs have not been calculated and therefore the information in this regard is not held."

However, Mr Perkins said he was inclined to agree with neighbours who described it as 'an inordinate waste of time and money' and said he was 'gobsmacked the council did not also provide a figure for internal costs'.

COSTLY: Mike Perkins decided to withdraw his appeal or the costs to him and, potentially, Worcester City Council, could have been even higher than £1,200 COSTLY: Mike Perkins decided to withdraw his appeal or the costs to him and, potentially, Worcester City Council, could have been even higher than £1,200 (Image: Newsquest)

He said not only had there been a court hearing in Kidderminster on February 26 attended by a barrister and four council workers but several site visits to his home. 

"I think they're probably too embarrassed to give the full costs. Perhaps their departments are overmanned and they're ripe for savings.

RECOMMENDED READING: Cranham Drive motorhome back on drive after 'hollow victory'

RECOMMENDED READING: Cranham Drive motorhome: dad clears drive of all vans

A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: “The council has a duty to investigate complaints and in this case sought Mr Perkins’ voluntary compliance over a prolonged period, which unfortunately was not forthcoming. It was not until a formal notice was served and after Mr Perkins had lodged an appeal with the courts that he then complied with the requirements of the notice before the hearing. The council has no further comment on this matter.”