How are cases prioritised?
Taking formal enforcement action can be time consuming, complex and expensive. When breaches are discovered, resources will be targeted towards unauthorised development giving rise to significant harm having regard to the public interest.
It is our officer's discretion as to which priority a case is allocated, and whether a site visit is required.
As such, we have three levels of priority, each with an aimed timescale for site visits to be undertaken (if required).
Level 1- High priority
Immediate or irreparable harm. Site visit within 48 working hours.
This can include:
- Works to listed buildings
- Works to trees within conservations areas or with tree preservation orders
- Demolition in conservation areas
- Existing cases with appeal deadlines or court action
- Cases within six months of immunity
Level 2 – Medium priority
Significant planning harm. Sites with protected designations eg Green Belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Site visits within 20 working days.
This can include:
- Unauthorised change of use of land or buildings
- Unauthorised building works
- Breaches of conditions or plans on permissions causing serious harm
- Development clearly in breach of planning policy and unlikely to be granted planning permission
- Retrospective development where planning permission has been refused
Level 3 – Low priority
All other instances. Site visit within 30 working days.
This can include:
- Untidy land
- Advertisements
- Minor householder developments, fences, windows etc