Nov 7 2006
New guidance for local authorities on how to take planning enforcement action was outlined today by Housing and Planning Minister for the Lords, Baroness Andrews as she published the results of the Review of Planning Enforcement.
The review showed strong support among respondents for the current statutory framework for enforcement and recommended that enforcement should remain at the discretion of local authorities. The review has also led directly to the introduction of Temporary Stop Notices (TSN) of which over 300 have been used in 2005/06 to stop unauthorised development, protect the environment and speed up the process of enforcement action.
TSNs have been used successfully across England to stop a wide variety of unauthorised development including:
- damage to listed buildings, trees and wildlife sites;
- unauthorised landfill, quarrying, tipping and storage of waste;
- unauthorised gypsy sites; and
- excessive building.
Baroness Andrews said:
“Enforcement plays a key role in maintaining the integrity and effective operation of the planning system as well as protecting our environment. This review has highlighted a number of important areas where the Government will continue to work with local authorities, the Planning Advisory Service and others.
“The use of Temporary Stop Notices to speed up enforcement is one part of this, but I encourage all authorities to see enforcement as an essential element of the service they provide for communities”.
The Good Practice Guide on Enforcing Planning Control will be updated next year and provide the latest information for local authorities on how to tackle a broad range of enforcement actions.