JON Drew, development manager group leader for Planning Enforcement in Cornwall, gave a talk at last month’s Bude Community Network Panel meeting.

Mr Drew delivered a powerpoint presentation detailing what Planning Enforcement does and to give an understanding of the timeframe that they have to work in.

Each year Planning Enforcement has to deal with between 2,500 to 3,000 cases with 47% of all cases not ending up being a breach of planning.

Typical cases for Planning Enforcement include extensions, the stationing of caravans in open countryside spaces and the size of gateways.

There are four usual outcomes to these matters: 47% of all cases do not require any intervention, a minor breach where no action is taken, a breach (no likelihood of the planning permission being granted) or the outcome where both parties try to negotiate a resolution.

If planning is not granted, which would be the case for unauthorised inappropriate works to the exterior of a listed building, then the following types of notice can be granted: Enforcement notices; Section 215 notices — untidy sites; Stop notices — stops development; Temporary stop notices — 28 days; Breach of condition notices; Tree replacement notices — You must replace the tree, which you have cut down.

Following the issuing of a notice, the recipient has four weeks to lodge an appeal before the notice takes effect.

However, if the recipient decides to appeal, then the notice is ‘void’ until the appeal is heard.

The appeal process can take two to three years from the time the first notice is handed in.

Once Mr Drew explained the appeal process, he gave some real life examples of cases they have been involved in.

He then asked the audience for questions, with Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Poundstock, and Community Network Panel chairman, Nicky Chopak, asking for one person to be assigned the role of planning enforcement officer in the area as one port of call, so when members of the public have a query they know the exact contact.

Mr Drew said they are working on that, now that the most recent officer, Adrian White, who was on a part-time contract, has taken up a permanent role further down the county.