Development Control and the role of Enforcement

Sedgehill and Semley Parish Council were keen to understand the role and responsibility of Enforcement Officers; to what extent they are pro-active and also in what ways can the Parish Council and the public aid in flagging up breaches of development control ?

Cliff Lane, the Head of Development Services explained that SDC has taken the decision to place a high priority on this issue and have funded a dedicated team of 3 (plus 1 part time) for enforcement of planning regulations.

Whilst the enforcement team are pro- active in compliance monitoring, with 878 square miles to cover, complaints received from local residents and Parish Councils are very useful, and welcome, in bringing breaches to the attention of the team. To aid in this, the conditions of any planning consent are available for public inspection on request and are sent to those who have made representations. Minutes of the Area Committee meetings are distributed to all Parish and Town Council clerks.

Random checks have recently recommenced and particularly focus on the largest and most sensitive developments. Where breaches are brought to the attention of SDC officers, a number of options are available to the local planning authority. The full range of options are available in a leaflet that can be picked up at the Wyndam Road Planning Office.

All decisions on the type of enforcement action followed, are taken by District Members at Area Committees on advice of officers from the Council’s Head of Development Services and the Head of Legal and Property Services.