Planning Enforcement

November 2006

For a number of years now, I have been trying to assist some constituents living in the Kings Norton area who were fed up with the poor state of land at the rear of 385/387 Redditch Road.  The land was covered in debris from building work and, although the owners were threatened with enforcement action by the Council, and took some small steps – seemingly to placate the Council – the land remains an eyesore to this day.  To make matters worse, part of the land concerned is supposed to be in use as a car parking facility for a takeaway which was only allowed to start operating once the parking facility was in place.  As you may have guessed by now, the takeaway has already been operating for some time.

This case – and others that have come to my notice (in Watford Road and Waterloo Road) – suggests there is significant room for improvement in the planning enforcement process.  As well as pressing the Planning Department to smarten up their act, I have asked them for suggestions on streamlining the enforcement process.  If this requires a change in planning law, I will take this up with the Government.

back to top

back to local issues page