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Watford Borough Council
Planning enforcement
As an integral part of the Planning system, Planning Enforcement plays an important role in monitoring development and investigating potential breaches of planning control.
The Council, as the local planning authority, has powers to investigate unauthorised developments and take appropriate remedial action where necessary. Breaches of planning control can take a number of forms, including unauthorised changes of use of land or buildings, work being carried out without the benefit of planning permission and breaches of conditions attached to planning permissions.
When the Council investigates a breach, an assessment is made to determine what action, if any, is necessary. In many cases where a breach has taken place, there is no adverse effect on the character of the surrounding area, or on residential amenity. In these circumstances the Council will normally avoid taking enforcement action simply to regularise a development.
The Council will usually attempt to remedy unauthorised breaches through negotiation, rather than immediate statutory action. This may involve the submission of a retrospective application. In cases where the breach is serious and has a detrimental impact on the character or amenity of an area or building, the Council can serve an Enforcement Notice.
Where the breach is particularly severe a Stop Notice may be served in conjunction with the Enforcement Notice, requiring immediate cessation of the unauthorised activities. Failure to comply with these Notices constitutes a criminal offence.
The Enforcement Section also provides guidance and advice to owners/occupiers of properties which have been the subject of unauthorised alterations, in addition to other members of the public.
For further information on the Planning enforcement service please click the related link to view our draft enforcement policy alternatively please contact the Planning Support Team on tel: 01923 278293/4.
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