Agenda item

The Principal Enforcement Planner presented the report which provided a summary of the work carried out over the last quarter (July - September 2024).  The Officer also reported of an amendment to the report regarding Orchard Farm, Parwich (case ref 22/0003) which should say it was for the “erection of a fence” and not “erection of a yurt” and that the fence had now been removed.

The Officer informed Members  that following an internal process mapping and discussions with the Chair and Vice Chair of Planning Committee, it was agreed that Officers would provide relevant information in the Annual Monitoring and Enforcement Report on the number of cases that remained unresolved,  and those where an enforcement notice had not been complied with and where it appeared that timely action was not being taken to ensure compliance. 

It was agreed that, in the annual review which is reported to the April Planning Committee Meeting, Members will now receive information about outstanding cases and how long they have been outstanding for.  Once an enforcement notice is in place and  has not been complied with within 3 months of the compliance period,  this would come before Planning Committee as a priority case each quarter along with an explanation of where the case was at.

The Officer then shared before and after photographs of some of the cases that had been resolved in the latest quarter.

Members thanked the Officer for his report, but asked what “expedient” meant.  The Officer reported that expediency must be considered when the Authority has to decide whether to take enforcement action or not.   In reaching this decision, Officers must consider whether there is harm to the amenity of the area or the special qualities of the National Park and if the development is in conflict with policies.  Members asked whether by not taking any action does that mean that they have planning permission by default?  The Officer reported that the developments still remained unauthorised, and the applicant has the right to apply for retrospective planning permission to regularise it as it could lead to issues for them if they wished to sell the property in the future.  Unauthorised development (excluding listed buildings) will normally become immune from enforcement action after 10 years.

The Officer responded to a request for an update on case ref: 15:0057, Mickleden Edge.  Members also asked for an update on case ref: 19/0037, Cauldwells Mill.   The Officer reported that he would look into them and report back.

The Officer was thanked for the report and particularly for the before and after photos which proved helpful and gave a quick snapshot into what is happening. 

RESOLVED:

That officers begin a process of gathering data in relation to those matters set out in paragraph 6, and report to the Planning Committee on all outstanding cases and the length of time they have been outstanding at least once per year, and each quarter on cases where compliance with an enforcement notice is outstanding for longer than three months.