Content

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

This case is in relation to flag poles being erected
along the road at a new build development site. The initial complaint
was that nine poles had been installed. 

 

On site visit day there where in fact
only six installed. Four in front of each respective project show
house, with evidence of the other flag poles having
been removed. Which may well have been the result of OIC conversation
with Tech Officer for David Wilson Homes prior to visit. 

 

Each pole height is approx. 4.8 metres which is
not significantly greater than the guidance of 4.6 metres. With a
slim banner. The poles do not appear illuminated or cause a road
obstruction or obstruction to the footway. The banners themselves are a dark
green and grey colour and the poles are
an off white. 

 

The technical breach of planning control has been assessed
as low harm with low impact on amenity and it is therefore
closed as not expedient to pursue given current case volumes and a requirement
to direct resources to higher priority matters.  

 

Alternative options considered

The
alternative option would be to pursue formal enforcement action.
However, it is not considered 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.