East Bergholt: CCTV captures limousines in the boss’s house despite the ban

Angry villagers have branded a council’s enforcement efforts as a “hoax” after CCTV detected violations of a court order prohibiting a businessman from storing limousines in his home.

The Babergh District Council (BDC) sued East Bergholt’s chief limo hire company Philip Thompson in 2015.

Under the restraining order served on him, which is still in effect, Mr. Thompson is not permitted to induce or permit his property in Chadacre, Whitesfield, East Bergholt to be used for car rental purposes.

The order also prohibits the parking or storage of cars used for car rental purposes on the property or on nearby Whitesfield Road.

A white stretch limousine leaves Chadacre
– Credit: SUBMITTED

Now angry villagers and their district council have contacted BDC with a series of CCTV images that were last taken from May this year through mid-August.

They show two stretched limousines – a white Ford Lincoln and a black Ford Limo – parked outside of Chadacre. Both vehicles are taxed and have a current MOT.

Other CCTV stills appear to show the vehicles being transported to and from the property.

Similar cars can be found in the fleet advertised on the Essex & Suffolk Limousine Hire website, which also lists Chadacre as a business address.

CCTV recorded a black Ford Limo (left) parked by Mr Thompson’s house in July
– Credit: SUBMITTED

Mr Thompson said the cars currently parked on his property, which he has lived on for 28 years, are for “my and my partner’s personal use.”

He confirmed that there had been a contact between him and BDC, most recently on July 7th of this year, which was “fully respected”.

The father of two also said he intends to apply to run the business from home.

“Should the Council discuss any further questions on this matter with me, I am always at your disposal,” he said.

The limo fleet advertised on the Essex & Suffolk Limousine Hire website which lists Chadacre as its business address
– Credit: ESSEX & SUFFOLK LIMOUSINE RENTAL WEBSITE

He added that his family doctor had advised him to “avoid unnecessary stressful situations such as being rushed by neighbors”.

One villager said he felt the council was ignoring his concerns.

“Photographic evidence has been presented, but for some reason BDC is not taking notice,” they added.

Phil Thompson from East Bergholt (library picture)
– Credit: Gregg Brown

“The answer I get all the time is ‘We will investigate and report back to you.’ I think that’s a joke now. “

BDC has confirmed that the injunction against Mr. Thompson and affiliates is still in effect.

Though CCTV appeared to be showing otherwise, a spokeswoman said that since the council’s injunction in September 2015, Mr. Thompson had moved all of his stretch limos out of the district.

“The vehicles that remain on Mr. Thompson’s property are not sedans and he claims these are primarily for personal use,” she added.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and have written to remind Mr. Thompson of the terms of the injunction to act as a deterrent if we believe limos may be parked on his property.”

East Bergholt Independent Alderman John Hinton claimed there had been a “negligent attitude towards solving the problem” throughout Babergh county council (file image)
– Credit: ARCHANT

John Hinton, independent councilor for the village, criticized what he described as a lack of meaningful action on behalf of BDC.

He asked them to do more research instead of just writing to the businessman.

“The council’s enforcement efforts are pretty pathetic on this case,” he said.

“There seems to be a negligent attitude throughout the Council to actually solve the problem.”

The city council added that it felt it was a kick in the teeth for taxpayers who are effectively paying enforcers’ salaries.

He said, “The council went at the expense of getting the evidence and putting the case together in front of the judge, so now you should see that the law is being obeyed.”

Frustrated villagers captured CCTV images from 2016 to 2021
– Credit: SUBMITTED

BDC chiefs added that while the council worked “incredibly hard” to achieve the best outcome for the villagers in 2015, the council recognized that the court had limited powers to enforce occasional violations.

“While we share the villagers’ frustration, we also need to be realistic about the court’s limited powers to enforce occasional violations and the cost of legal action against taxpayers,” added a spokeswoman.

“We previously managed to reclaim nearly £ 10,000 in litigation costs in this case, but these are not always recoverable.

“However, should there be any indications that the business will be operated permanently from East Bergholt, we will not hesitate to examine further measures.”