Council warns of £2.5k fine in poster war

How's this for municipal pettiness: St Osyth is a small Essex village near Clacton-on-Sea. It has a conservation area, including an ancient priory. Development plans are now mooted to add 300 homes to the conservation area. Local residents have responded with a poster campaign against the £50m development. Yet the council is threatening £2,500 fines on local residents that display them - for breaking planning law!