A softly, softly approach to planning enforcement is the reason the Isle of Wight Council doesn’t serve many notices, it has claimed.
The role of planning enforcement officers is to investigate suspected breaches of permission — such as non-compliance with conditions.
16 enforcement actions in 12 month
Figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show in the year up to September 2021, 16 enforcement actions were undertaken by the Isle of Wight Council, with only five enforcement notices issued.
The Isle of Wight Council has stressed it is active in planning enforcement and its policy sets out how problems are dealt with — trying to resolve the matter early, by negotiation, before formal notices are served.
700 enforcement enquiries in 2021
The authority has said last year it received, assessed and investigated, if necessary, more than 700 enforcement enquiries.
Of those, a council spokesperson said, 250 cases were taken forward for further action and almost all were resolved by negotiation without the need for formal enforcement action.
IWC: Lack of cases is not a failing, but a deliberate policy
The spokesperson said,
“While it is true few enforcement cases come to formal action or notices, that is not a failing but a deliberate policy.
“It also does not reflect the work that goes into dealing with many other enforcement enquiries and complaints.”
Cheaper and faster to resolve problems by early negotiation
The council said not only is it cheaper for the taxpayer to resolve problems by early negotiation, but it also leads to a quicker resolution.
Where the problem cannot be resolved, the council will continue to serve formal notice, “if it is in the public interest to do so,” the spokesperson said.
Atherfield Bay Holiday Camp
The issue was highlighted at the planning committee on Tuesday, where the controversial retrospective application for Atherfield Bay Holiday Camp was approved.
Cllr Chris Jarman said he was astonished no one had noticed the work at the site before now, which was being built without following all conditions.
Councillors said the extent of the work done was a step too far and questioned how the council could stop this happening again.
No new staff
A pledge was made in September to hire more temporary staff to help with the enforcement workload, but none had yet been recruited.
Town and parish councils are also stepping up, with Newport Community Council proposing the funds for a part-time enforcement officer for Newport and Carisbrooke.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
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