Complaints about planning enforcement are increasing and some councils are taking years to resolve cases, according to a new report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Planning enforcement systems in England are under growing strain, the Ombudsman has warned, highlighting a rise in complaints from residents who feel enforcement action has been delayed or not carried out effectively, often leaving developments unresolved for long periods.
Planning enforcement allows councils to investigate potential breaches of planning permission and act where necessary, helping to maintain public confidence in the planning system and ensure development takes place in line with agreed rules.
Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said councils remain committed to strong planning enforcement, but warned that staffing and resource pressures are making this work increasingly difficult.
He added: “There are acute issues around recruitment and retention of staff, particularly with specialist skills, such as those relating to enforcement.
“An improved and more effective planning system is in everyone’s interest, and achieving this naturally requires improving enforcement, which underpins and upholds the integrity of the planning system.”