Issue - meetings

The Technical Services Manager,Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) presented the Planning Enforcement Policy for Members’ consideration. In doing so the following was highlighted:

·       The Council’s current Planning Enforcement Policy had been established in 2011 and this new policy sought to provide an update to this policy in line with current Planning legislation.

·       The Policy outlined the process undertaken in respect of enforcement, when enforcement action might be considered, when Planning breaches had occurred and the prioritisation of an Enforcement Work Programme.

·       Enforcement action took a significant amount of time to carry out. It was therefore proposed that greater engagement and liaison would be undertaken with alleged offenders in order to bring them in line and comply with the Policy.

·       It was not always appropriate to undertake Planning Enforcement and Officers could not compel parties to apply for Planning consent and it was not always in the public interest to enforce breaches.

Following the presentation Members agreed that this Policy was welcomed and would help to clarify the current situation. However, they were keen that engagement with alleged offenders be made early and in a proactive and robust manner. It was felt that enforcement was critical to ensure that Green Belt land was not encroached upon and that building regulations were adhered to from a Health and Safety perspective. Members were reminded that Officers could not force people to apply for Planning permission, but that the process now would encourage and aid the process of enforcement in the future.

RECOMMENDED that

the Council endorse the Planning Enforcement Policy.