Hart Borough Council Development Management Enforcement Sub-Committee Meeting

Cllr Makepeace-Browne nominated Cllr Southern as Chair for the 2024/25 Municipal Year. This was seconded by Cllr Delaney. There were no other nominations.

Decision

Cllr Southern was elected as Chair of the Sub-Committee for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Cllr Makepeace-Browne nominated Cllr Quarterman as Vice-Chair for the 2024/25 Municipal Year. This was seconded by Cllr Southern.  There were no other nominations.

Decision

Cllr Quarterman was elected as Vice-Chair of the Sub-Committee for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

The minutes of the Development Management (Enforcement) Sub-Committee held on 15 January 2024 were agreed as a correct record of the proceedings.

Proposed by Cllr Makepeace-Browne; seconded by Cllr Southern.

There were no apologies for absence.

Cllr Quarterman declared a non-prejudicial interest in the Enforcement Update item in respect of the SANG at Moulsham Lane, Yateley, for the reason that he lived close to this site and remained in the meeting during the discussion on this item.

There were no announcements.

The Planning Enforcement Team Leader introduced the report and highlighted that:

·      in March 2024, Cabinet had adopted a new Local Enforcement Plan which covered both development management and environmental health/licensing. This Plan replaced the previous Planning Local Enforcement Plan which had been adopted in January 2016; and

·         from 25 April 2024 a number of changes had been made to legislation relating to planning enforcement. The key matters were set out in the Officer’s report.

During discussion on changes in legislation, Members questioned:

·      Whether Officers had any concerns about the changes in legislation; and

·      What would happen if officers could not complete a temporary stop notice within the 56 days limit and, in particular, if another temporary stop notice could be issued?

Members were advised that:

·         Officers had positively received these changes in law as it would provide more time for officers to prepare the necessary information; and

·         After 56 days, it would be necessary to issue a stop notice.

The Sub-Committee was advised that, between 1 January to 31 March 2024, the enforcement team had received 24 requests to investigate alleged breaches of planning control from customers.  Between 1 April and 30 June this figure had increased to 45 requests.  Overall, when compared to previous years, it was felt that there had been a steady reduction in requests to investigate.  The number of complex cases was considered to be at a more manageable caseload than in previous years. 

During discussion an update was requested on the current team in planning enforcement.  In response, the Sub-Committee was advised that Stephanie  Baker had returned from maternity leave as the Development Management & Building Control Manager. Louise Moore was currently covering the Team Leader role covering planning, and it was intended to fill this role permanently. Mr Berry would be staying with the Council until the end of the year and was leading on a number of projects.

During discussion, it was asked what was being done to ensure that planning conditions were enforceable.  In response, Members were advised that work has been done to ensure that planning conditions were enforceable.

The Planning Enforcement Team Leader ran through update on a range of cases which was attached to the Officer’s report

The Sub-Committee noted the updates on planning enforcement, as set out in the report.