Prolonged delays in local authority planning enforcement are leaving unlawful developments in place and undermining public trust, watchdog says.
A new report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Losing control: complaints about planning enforcement, reveals cases where enforcement investigations have dragged on for years before action was taken, and in some instances statutory time limits have expired, meaning breaches now stand with no legal remedy.
Planning enforcement complaints now make up almost half (47%) of all upheld planning and development cases, up from 26% in 2021-22, the report shows.
The Ombudsman identifies poor communication, staff turnover and inadequate processes as recurring issues and warns that under-resourced planning teams are struggling to cope with demand.
Mrs Amerdeep Clarke, the Ombudsman, said weakening enforcement risks eroding confidence in planning rules and urged councils to bolster resourcing and improve performance.
‘If people lose faith that planning rules will be enforced, they stop raising concerns. We risk a two-tier system: those who follow the law play by the rules, while those who flout them face no real consequences,’ she said.
Simon Creer, Director of Communications and External Relations at the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: ‘Enforcement officers are the backbone of the planning system. But as this report shows, years of under-resourcing and challenges in recruitment have led to staff shortages and overwhelming workloads.’
