A prison sentence has been narrowly avoided after a woman was taken to the High Court for repeated planning breaches in the South Downs National Park.

Lara Kim Deroubaix was sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for four years, after ignoring a planning injunction to remove a caravan that had been illegally placed on agricultural fields at Long Road, Soberton, Hampshire.

The conviction comes after a long-running enforcement case – led by the South Downs National Park Authority and Winchester City Council (WCC)– dating back to 2018.

The Authority initially secured a High Court injunction that forbade Ms Deroubaix from siting a caravan or mobile home for residential purposes at Long Road, Soberton. It was after the caravan had been put on fields in the National Park without any planning permission. The court had heard that Ms Deroubaix was offered alternative accommodation by the council.

The injunction was then ignored by Ms Deroubaix and, some time later in 2021, she was sentenced to one-month imprisonment, suspended for two years.

The High Court heard that immediately upon the suspended sentence having expired, Ms Deroubaix breached the injunction for a second time, siting two caravans on or around the weekend of the April 29 and 30, 2023. Enforcement officers from WCC visited the location on five occasions and found evidence of people living there.

The flagrant breach of the High Court Injunction led to the National Park Authority having to pursue the matter through the courts for a second time.

The High Court heard that, much like the first occasion when Ms Deroubaix ignored the court order, she was given three written warnings and a verbal reminder for the second breach. During proceedings, Ms Deroubaix apologised to the court for her actions.

Sentencing Ms Deroubaix, Judge Dunne KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge, said that she failed to heed numerous warnings by the officers and that she knew of the injunction.

Culpability on the part of Ms Deroubaix was found to be high, he said, and that the case passed the custody threshold.

Judge Dunne observed that had she not moved the caravans off the plot prior to the hearing, she was at risk of immediate imprisonment. Judge Dunne also awarded the South Downs National Park Authority its costs, to the sum of £14,945, in bringing the proceedings. These should be paid to the Authority within 12 months.

Tim Slaney, director of planning at the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “Court action is not something we choose to do lightly and is often a last resort for us.

“The National Park is a very special landscape that has been designated for the benefit of the entire nation because of its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. Without a planning system that everyone adheres to, it could be harmed by any number of illegal developments and would cease to be a special place for people to live, work and enjoy.

“This enforcement case is an example of strong partnership working and we’re very grateful to Winchester City Council for their support.”

Cllr Jackie Porter, cabinet member for place and local plan, Winchester City Council, added: “This continued breach undermined the integrity of the planning process, and the respect for this very special National Park, which we must protect.

“Working in partnership with the Park, we would always try and resolve matters without enforcement action of this type, but sadly on this occasion we were left with no choice, due to the continued disregard of this precious and protected landscape, to pursue this matter in the courts.

“I want to personally thank officers for their hard work – spanning a number of years on this case. I hope this sends a clear message that we are fully prepared to act for our partner authorities and use all measures available to protect the South Downs.”