Planning enforcement

All enforcement decisions may be taken by the Assistant Director of Planning and Growth.

Sometimes matters may be referred to Planning Committee for a decision. The committee acts as a quasi-judicial body and makes its decisions based on the evidence and information submitted. When a case is referred to the committee, both the complainant and the alleged offender will be invited to submit comments for inclusion in the committee report.

What happens when a breach is confirmed

When a planning breach is confirmed, any action taken will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the breach. We will consider:

• National Planning Policy Framework and relevant planning policy contained in circulars
• the adopted Development Plan
• the Infrastructure Requirement List (IRL), if infrastructure improvements are necessary to mitigate the impact of the breach
• provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998
• planning history of the site

Many planning breaches can often be resolved informally by negotiation – we will continue to do this. Formal action only takes place where other means to resolve the problem have failed.

We take enforcement action – including the service of an Enforcement Notice – only when it is in the public interest and necessary to:

• protect the amenity of the area
• protect the public
• protect highway safety
• maintain the integrity of the development management process in Thurrock

We would not normally take formal enforcement action against a trivial or technical breach of control that causes little or no harm to local area or neighbours.