Shields was fined $8500 after building five small dwellings on a property at Battys Rd, Blenheim, without approval. A "cavalier" Marlborough man who built five tiny houses and tried to sell some on TradeMe said he didn't think he needed building consent because they were moveable. Shields told a court hearing a council outside Marlborough told him a building consent was "not necessary", as the dwellings were "temporary works". CHLOE RANFORD/LDR The Marlborough District Council said Marlborough Building Ltd owner Gary John Shields "ought to have known better". Council building control manager Bill East said in a council press release he was pleased the court had recognised the importance of building consents.

Source: Stuff November 27, 2019 23:37 UTC