That the Planning Enforcement Policy as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

To have clear procedures that set out how the Council will deal with alleged breaches of planning control.

An alternative option would be to not have a Planning Enforcement Policy, however this option was discounted as it could be perceived that enforcement is deployed on an arbitrary basis.

This decision will be implemented immediately.

Planning enforcement action is discretionary. Government guidance says Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) must only take planning enforcement action when they consider it expedient to do so. Action must be proportionate to the breach of planning control to which it relates.

This Planning Enforcement Policy sets out how the council can and will respond to breaches of planning control.  It explains how the council best uses its planning enforcement resources. This includes dealing with breaches of planning control that may cause harm to:

• The local built environment,
• The natural environment or, 
• The amenities of neighbours.

None.