Issue - meetings

Recommendation

That Executive note the report, provide feedback and endorse the draft Local Planning Enforcement Plan to proceed for consultation and engagement with NYC elected members, Parish/Town Councils/Parish Meetings and publication on the Council’s website for public engagement and comment.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development presenting the draft Local Planning Enforcement Plan for endorsement and public consultation.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Heather Phillips, introduced the draft Local Planning Enforcement Plan which would provide a clear and consistent approach to planning enforcement across the county.  The Local Planning Enforcement Plan outlined how and when enforcement action would be taken and had been drafted with regard to the enforcement plans of adjoining authorities and the National Park authorities to ensure consistency of approach.  The Plan had been drafted with regard to national guidelines and legislation.

It was noted that Planning Enforcement was a discretionary service, however Members welcomed the Plan as planning issues were a source of concern to many residents in the county and it was important that the Council had a cohesive and robust policy in place.

Resolved (unanimously)

That the report be noted and the draft Local Planning Enforcement Plan be endorsed to proceed for consultation and engagement with NYC elected members, Parish/Town Councils/Parish Meetings and publication on the Council’s website for public engagement and comment.

Reasons for recommendations

The proposed new North Yorkshire Council Local Planning Enforcement Plan set out a clear, consistent, and robust framework for how the Council would undertake planning enforcement. It aimed to ensure that enforcement was carried out in a fair, proportionate, and effective manner, whilst being robust and ensuring that users of the service understood the planning enforcement process and decisions taken.

The adoption of a Local Planning Enforcement Plan for North Yorkshire was recommended to be undertaken by and in accordance with advice contained within the NPPF and government guidance in order to manage planning enforcement robustly, effectively and proactively in the North Yorkshire area, in a timely manner. The Plan had been prepared with due regard to all relevant legislation, policy, guidance and best practice.

Alternative options considered

Continued reliance upon predecessor planning enforcement policies was not a suitable longer-term position and exposed the Council, and Planning Enforcement Officers, and was an obstacle to successful delivery of a clear, consistent, proactive, customer focused Planning Enforcement function. Therefore, bringing forward a harmonised approach was the appropriate sensible option.