Consultation on the Planning Enforcement Plan

Overview

We are reopening the consultation, which originally ran over the summer, to gain a wider scope of views from the public.

How you can help?  

By answering our 9 questions on the Planning Enforcement Plan and letting us know your views in the comment boxes. This can include your past experiences of planning enforcement and what you think our priorities should be.    

As we look at achieving our wider vision for Lewisham it is critical that as a planning authority we protect the quality and character of Lewisham and keep residents safe from rogue development.

As part of this, Our Planning Enforcement team has undergone major changes in the way we do our work. As part of this, we have drafted our first Planning Enforement Policy which, when adopted, will form the foundation of our processes, decision-making and priorities, providing better transparency over our work.     

 This is the first time our enforcement processes and priorities have ever been written down and the Council does not want to create the policy alone.

We invite you to join us in the creation of this policy and make your opinions heard. You can find a summary of the Plan below.

Why your views matter
 
It is important that we hear your feedback to ensure that this document and the policies within it best serve everyone in Lewisham.
 
Summary of Planning Enforcement Plan

A brief breakdown and explanation of the various sections of the policy can be found below: 

Section 1 - Planning Enforcement – what do we do, and how? – This section seeks to give an introduction to the Planning Enforcement service; what our duties are, how we operate, and the processes that we employ.

 Section 2 - The definition of Development and the legislative framework in which Planning Enforcement operates – An explanation of the definition of development as found within the Town and Country Planning Act, and gives an overview of the legislation from which we derive our powers. 

Section 3 – The limitations of Planning Enforcement – An explanation of the limitations of our powers. Where we cannot take action, what issues fall outside of our remit. 

Section 4 - How are cases opened? – This section describes what we require in order to open an investigation, as well as discussing the main avenues through which we receive reports and information.

 Section 5 - Our duties and priorities – What can you expect of us? – A description of our duties as a Planning Enforcement service, as well as laying out some of our priorities and where they derive from.

 Section 6 - The Planning Enforcement Flowchart – The Planning Enforcement Flowchart is a visual representation of the journey of a planning enforcement case. It shows the various stages/actions that we take, and the potential outcomes/next actions

 Section 7 - Our tools – how do we resolve breaches? - Explanation of the formal and informal tools that we use in order to resolve breaches in planning

 Section 8 - Complaints about our Service - An explanation of our complaints procedure, and how complaints are dealt with

 Section 9 - Planning Information Advice Service – Notice Confirmations and Withdrawals – This section provides information on our various paid services that can be of assistance when selling a property or confirming compliance

 Section 10 – Monitoring – Explanation of how we may monitor this enforcement plan, and its implementation, going forward.

Why your views matter

The Planning Enforcement Plan outlines how the Council will involve local residents, businesses and other stakeholders in carrying out Planning Enforcement decisions. It also sets out our priorities, approaches, limitations and processes when dealing with the enforcement of Planning regulations. This consultation aims to ensure that all those that may be subject to these policies have their chance to comment on them before they are adopted.