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Decision:

 

This decision is taken under delegated powers set out in
Paragraph 145 of the Officer Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s constitution,
which grants delegated authority to undertake all action in order to regulate
any actual, perceived or potential breach of any of the Town and Country
Planning Legislation including:

 

to determine whether or not to take and/or to cease action
whether because in

 

his/her opinion the breach is trivial, there is insufficient
demonstrable harm and/or, it is not expedient to take / continue to take action.

 

This authority has been delegated to me through the Local
Scheme of Nomination for the Executive Director for Place.

Reasons for the decision

The initial concern regarding the two
structures—a cabin and a caravan—was raised by the Revenues Team, who noted
that no fees were being paid in relation to the properties. 

 

 Following
the referral to Enforcement, the Revenues Team conducted their own site visit
to assess appropriate charges. As a result, both
properties are now subject to council tax, as confirmed through a desk-based
investigation. 

 

The
date of substantial completion for both the cabin and the caravan indicates that they are
approaching (if not surpassed) the 10-year
threshold for immunity from enforcement action. No complaints or objections
have ever been received concerning the physical appearance or impact of the
structures. 

 

Given
that the original issue has been resolved by the Revenues Team, no demonstrable
harm is evident, and there is no
planning interest in pursuing formal action. It is therefore considered not
expedient to proceed with enforcement. 

 

Alternative options considered

The
alternative option would be to pursue
formal enforcement action. However, due to this matter being of low planning
harm, it is not expedient to pursue formal action. This is in line with
Government guidance which suggests that Local Planning Authorities should act
proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of planning control.