Enforcement -Doing Work Without Permission
2.What is Planning Enforcement?
Planning enforcement is the process by which the council investigates breaches of planning control, helping to ensure that developments within Torridge follow the rules set out by the planning system.
When someone builds something or changes how land is used without the correct permissions, the Council can investigate and, if necessary, take action.
Planning enforcement is a discretionary function and not a statutory duty. The Council should act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of planning control, and is not obligated to take enforcement action against every planning breach. The Council will decide when, and if, to act based on the severity of the breach and public interest factors.
The Council has published a local enforcement plan (link here:) to manage enforcement, which sets out how we will monitor the implementation of planning permissions, investigate alleged cases of unauthorised development and take action where appropriate. This is reflected in Policy DM11: Planning Enforcement, of the adopted North Devon & Torridge Local Plan 2011- 2031 which states - 'Unauthorised development will be investigated by the Local Planning Authority, acting proportionately to the scale of the suspected breach of planning control. Enforcement action will be taken where it is appropriate to do so and in the public interest.'
Please see following link : Policy DM 11 TDC Local Plan - Planning Enforcement
