planning and architectural design consultancy
If you have been served with any form of planning enforcement notice, or a requisition for information, and you are not sure what they require, we can provide you with professional advice. It may result in the filling in of a form or an informed reply to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). However, in some cases a Full Planning application may be required or an appeal to the Secretary of State (SOS).
Our director, Glenn, has 8 years’ experience working as an enforcement officer and John has over 25 years’ experience working in enforcement. If you have been served enforcement and aren’t sure what to do next, we can provide you with professional advice that will be second to none. It may just be the simple filling in of a form, but in some cases, it can mean a full planning application is required.
In the current world of UK planning and development, understanding planning enforcement matters is crucial for developers, homeowners, and planning consultants. As a result of recent legislative changes, In particular the amendments introduced by way of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) It is important to understand how these alterations affect the “4 Year Rule” and what actions need to be taken in relation to operational development and uses that have become lawful 4 years ‘before’ the 25th April 2024 deadline, to ensure compliance and avoid any possible enforcement action.
Traditionally, the “4 Year Rule” in planning enforcement allowed certain types of unauthorised developments to become lawful after a continuous period of four years without enforcement action being taken by the Local Planning Authority (LPA). This rule applied specifically to operational development and the change of use of a building to a single dwelling house.
However, as of 25th April 2024, this rule will cease to exist in its current form in England, to works substantially completed, or the breach occurring after this date, to be replaced by a more onerous (10) ten-year period. Wales will not be affected where the four-year rule will continue to apply.
On the other side of the fence of course, you may have a neighbour that you feel is carrying out some works without planning permission. If you feel that this will have an adverse affect on you and need some advice as to how you can object to or complain about the works, please get in touch