A Builder from Seend has been found guilty for the third time of breaching consumer protection laws after carrying out substandard work at a property in Melksham.
Arthur Dolan, 48, of Blossom Hill, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. As sole director of AD Paving & Landscape Ltd, he was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Friday 22nd August following an investigation by Wiltshire Council’s Trading Standards. He was fined £1,333, ordered to pay £2,500 costs and a £533 victim surcharge – a total of £4,366.
In February 2024, Dolan was contracted to install a resin driveway in Melksham for £7,500. By March, the homeowner had paid him more than £25,000 for the driveway and extra works including fencing and shed replacement.
A chartered surveyor, commissioned by Trading Standards, found the majority of the work to be substandard and of little or no value. The resin driveway was laid too thinly on an inadequately compacted subbase, resulting in an uneven surface. It was also laid directly over existing concrete, allowing weeds to grow through and making it easy to peel back.
Trading Standards also found the fencing was poorly constructed, with misaligned and distorted panels due to incorrect fixing of the featheredge boards. The surveyor concluded that the overall workmanship was exceptionally poor and well below industry standards.
Dolan has since refunded £14,500 to the victim.
Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Environment said, “Rogue builders can be difficult to identify and often leave behind incomplete or substandard work, causing distress and financial loss. By raising awareness of building fraud, we aim to empower consumers to make informed decisions and reduce opportunities for fraudsters to operate.
“We encourage residents to use approved trader schemes such as Buy With Confidence, which promote businesses that are safe, fair, and compliant.
“Anyone who believes they have been a victim of a rogue trader should contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.”
Dolan was previously prosecuted in 2019 and 2021 for similar offences relating to driveways and landscaping.
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