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Part VS Enforcement of Control under Parts III and IV

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Development requiring planning permissionS

[84F1Issue of enforcement notice.S

(1)The planning authority may issue a notice (in this Act referred to as an “enforcement notice”) where it appears to them—

(a)that there has been a breach of planning control; and

(b)that it is expedient to issue the notice, having regard to the provisions of the development plan and to any other material considerations.

(2)A copy of an enforcement notice shall be served—

(a)on the owner and on the occupier of the land to which it relates; and

(b)on any other person having an interest in the land, being an interest which, in the opinion of the authority, is materially affected by the notice.

(3)The service of the notice shall take place—

(a)not more than twenty-eight days after its date of issue; and

(b)not less than twenty-eight days before the date specified in it as the date on which it is to take effect.]

Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 84, 84AA, 84AB substituted for s. 84 (24.2.1992 for purpose of enabling Secretary of State to make regulations under s. 84AA(10), otherwise 26.3.1992) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:2), s.37 (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1992/334, arts. 3, 4.

[F2F284AAContents and effect of notice.S

(1)An enforcement notice shall state—

(a)the matters which appear to the planning authority to constitute the breach of planning control; and

(b)the paragraph of section 83A(1) of this Act within which, in the opinion of the authority, the breach falls.

(2)A notice complies with subsection (1)(a) of this section if it enables any person on whom a copy of it is served to know what those matters are.

(3)An enforcement notice shall specify the steps which the authority require to be taken, or the activities which the authority require to cease, in order to achieve, wholly or partly, any of the following purposes.

(4)Those purposes are—

(a)remedying the breach by making any development comply with the terms (including conditions and limitations) of any planning permission which has been granted in respect of the land by discontinuing any use of the land or by restoring the land to its condition before the breach took place; or

(b)remedying any injury to amenity which has been caused by the breach.

(5)An enforcement notice may, for example, require—

(a)the alteration or removal of any buildings or works;

(b)the carrying out of any building or other operations;

(c)any activity on the land not to be carried on except to the extent specified in the notice; or

(d)the contour of a deposit of refuse or waste materials on land to be modified by altering the gradient or gradients of its sides.

(6)An enforcement notice issued in respect of a breach of planning control consisting of demolition of a building may require the construction of a building (in this section referred to as a “replacement building”) which, subject to subsection (7) of this section, is as similar as possible to the demolished building.

(7)A replacement building—

(a)must comply with any requirement imposed by or under any enactment applicable to the construction of buildings;

(b)may differ from the demolished building in any respect which, if the demolished building had been altered in that respect, would not have constituted a breach of planning control;

(c)must comply with any regulations made for the purposes of this subsection (including regulations modifying paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection).

(8)An enforcement notice shall specify the date on which it is to take effect and, subject to section 85(3) of this Act, shall take effect on that date.

(9)An enforcement notice shall specify the period at the end of which any steps are required to have been taken or any activities are required to have ceased and may specify different periods for different steps or activities; and, where different periods apply to different steps or activities, references in this Part of this Act to the period for compliance with an enforcement notice, in relation to any step or activity, are to the period at the end of which the step is required to have been taken or the activity is required to have ceased.

(10)An enforcement notice shall specify such additional matters as may be prescribed, and regulations may require every copy of an enforcement notice served under section 84 of this Act to be accompanied by an explanatory note giving prescribed information as to the right of appeal under section 85 of this Act.

(11)Where—

(a)an enforcement notice in respect of any breach of planning control could have required any buildings or works to be removed or any activity to cease, but does not do so; and

(b)all the requirements of the notice have been complied with,

then, so far as the notice did not so require, planning permission shall be treated as having been granted under section 29 of this Act in respect of development consisting of the construction of the buildings or works or, as the case may be, the carrying out of the activities.

(12)Where—

(a)an enforcement notice requires the construction of a replacement building; and

(b)all the requirements of the notice with respect to that construction have been complied with,

planning permission shall be treated as having been granted under section 29 of this Act in respect of development consisting of that construction.]

Textual Amendments

F2Ss. 84, 84AA, 84AB substituted for s. 84 (24.2.1992 for purpose of enabling Secretary of State to make regulations under s. 84AA(10), otherwise 26.3.1992) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:2), ss.37, 84(2) (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1992/334, arts. 3, 4 .

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 84AA(10) extended (with modifications) (26.3.1992) by S.I. 1992/478, reg.2, Sch.

[F3F384ABVariation and withdrawal of enforcement notices.S

(1)The planning authority may—

(a)withdraw an enforcement notice issued by them; or

(b)waive or relax any requirement of such a notice and, in particular, may extend any period specified in accordance with section 84AA(9) of this Act.

(2)The powers conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised whether or not the notice has taken effect.

(3)The planning authority shall, immediately after exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1), give notice of the exercise to every person who has been served with a copy of the enforcement notice or would, if the notice were re-issued, be served with a copy of it.

(4)The withdrawal of an enforcement notice does not affect the power of the planning authority to issue a further enforcement notice.]

Textual Amendments

F3Ss. 84, 84AA, 84AB substituted for s. 84 (24.2.1992 for purpose of enabling Secretary of State to make regulations under s. 84AA(10), otherwise 26.3.1992)) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:2), ss.37, 84(2) (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1992/334, arts. 3, 4.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3S. 84AB extended (with modifications) (26.3.1992) by S.I. 1992/478, reg.2, Sch.

[F484A Power of regional planning authority to take enforcement action.S

(1)If a regional planning authority are of the opinion that a structure plan prepared by them and approved by the Secretary of State is materially prejudiced by a breach of planning control they may, after consultation with any district planning authority in whose district the breach has taken place, and subject to subsection (2) below, serve an enforcement notice under this subsection requiring the breach Ato be remedied.

(2)Where a regional planning authority serve a notice under subsection (1) above the provisions of sections 84 (except subsection (1)), 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 89A, 166, 265(1)(c) and 265(2A) of this Act shall apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to the regional planning authority and a notice under subsection (1) above as they apply in relation to a district planning authority and a notice under subsection (1) of the said section 84.]

85 Appeal against enforcement notice.S

(1)a person on whom an enforcement notice is served, or any other person having an interest in the land may, at any time [F5before the date specified in the notice as the date on] which it is to take effect, appeal to the Secretary of State against the notice on any of the following grounds—

(a)that planning permission ought to be granted for the development to which the notice relates or, as the case may be, that a condition or limitation alleged in the enforcement notice not to have been complied with ought to be discharged;

(b)that the matters alleged in the notice do not constitute a breach of planning control;

[F6(bb)that the breach of planning control alleged in the notice has not taken place;]

(c)in the case of a notice which, by virtue of section 84(3) of this Act, may be served only within the period of four years from the date of the breach of planning control to which the notice relates, that that period has elapsed at the date of service;

(d)in the case of a notice not falling within paragraph (c) of this subsection, that the breach of planning control alleged by the notice occurred before the beginning of 1965;

(e)that the enforcement notice was not served as required by section 84(5) of this Act;

(f)that the steps required by the notice to be taken exceed what is necessary to remedy any breach of planning control;

(g)that the specified period for compliance with the notice falls short of what should reasonably be allowed.

[F7(2)An appeal under this section shall be made by notice in writing to the Secretary of State.

(2A)A person who gives notice under subsection (2) of this section shall submit to the Secretary of State, either when giving the notice or within such time as may be prescribed under subsection (2B) of this section, a statement in writing—

(a)specifying the grounds on which he is appealing against the enforcement notice; and

(b)giving such further information as may be so prescribed.

(2B)The Secretary of State may prescribe the procedure to be followed on appeals under this section, and (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions of this subsection) in so prescribing—

(a)may specify the time within which an appellant is to submit a statement under subsection (2A) of this section and the matters on which information is to be given in such a statement;

(b)may require the planning authority to submit, within such time as may be specified, a statement indicating the submissions which they propose to put forward on the appeal;

(c)may specify the matters to be included in such a statement;

(d)may require the authority or the appellant to give such notice of an appeal under this section as may be specified, being notice which in the opinion of the Secretary of State is likely to bring the appeal to the attention of persons in the locality in which the land to which the enforcement notice relates is situated;

(e)may require the authority to send to the Secretary of State, within such period from the date of the bringing of the appeal as may be specified, a copy of the enforcement notice and a list of the persons on whom the notice has been served.

(2C)The Secretary of State—

(a)may dismiss an appeal if the appellant fails to comply with subsection (2A) above within the time prescribed under subsection (2B)(a) above; and

(b)may allow an appeal and quash the enforcement notice if the planning authority fail to comply with any requirement imposed by virtue of paragraph (b), (c) or (e) of subsection (2B) above.

(2D)Subject to subsection (2C) above, the Secretary of State shall, if either the planning authority or the appellant so desire, afford to each of them an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by him for the purpose.]

(3)Where an appeal is brought under this section, the enforcement notice shall be of no effect pending the final determination or the withdrawal of the appeal.

(4)On an appeal under this section—

(a)the Secretary of State may correct any informality, defect or error in the enforcement notice if he is satisfied that the informality, defect or error is not material;

(b)in a case where it would otherwise be a ground for determining the appeal in favour of the appellant that a person required by section 84(5) of this Act to be served with the notice was not served, the Secretary of State may disregard that fact if neither the appellant nor that person has been substantially prejudiced by the failure to serve him.

(5)On the determination of an appeal under this section, the Secretary of State shall give directions for giving effect to his determination, including, where appropriate, directions for quashing the enforcement notice or for varying the terms of the notice in favour of the appellant; and the Secretary of State may—

(a)grant planning permission for the development to which the enforcement notice relates or, as the case may be, discharge any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission for that development was granted;

[F8(aa)grant planning permission for such other development on the land to which the enforcement notice relates as appears to him to be appropriate;]

(b)determine any purpose for which the land may, in the circumstances obtaining at the time of the determination, be lawfully used having regard to any past use thereof and to any planning permission relating to the land.

(6)In considering whether to grant planning permission under subsection (5) of this section, the Secretary of State shall have regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the subject-matter of the enforcement notice, and to any other material considerations; and any planning permission granted by him under that subsection may—

(a)include permission to retain or complete any buildings or works on the land, or to do so without complying with some condition attached to a previous planning permission;

(b)be granted subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State thinks fit;

and where under that subsection he discharges a condition or limitation, he may substitute for it any other condition or limitation.

(7)Where an appeal against an enforcement notice is brought under this section, the appellant shall be deemed to have made an application for planning permission for the development to which the notice relates and, in relation to any exercise by the Secretary of State of his powers under subsection (5) of this section, the following provisions shall have effect—

(a)any planning permission granted thereunder shall be treated as granted on the said application;

(b)in relation to a grant of planning permission or a determination under that subsection, the Secretary of State’s decision shall be final; and

(c)for the purposes of section 31 of this Act, the decision shall be treated as having been given by the Secretary of State in dealing with an application for planning permission made to the. . . F9 planning authority.

(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F10

(9)Subject to section 279 of this Act, Schedule 7 to this Act applies to appeals under this section, including appeals under this section as applied by regulations under any other provision of this Act.

(10)The validity of an enforcement notice shall not, except by way of an appeal under this section, be questioned in any proceedings whatsoever on any of the grounds specified in paragraphs (b) to (e) of subsection (1) of this section.

(11)Subsection (10) of this section shall not apply to proceedings brought under section 86 of this Act against a person who—

(a)has held an interest in the land since before the enforcement notice was served under section 84 of this Act; and

(b)did not have the enforcement notice served on him thereunder; and

(c)satisfies the court that—

(i)he did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know that the enforcement notice had been served; and

(ii)his interests have been substantially prejudiced by the failure to serve him.

86 Penalties for non-compliance with enforcement notices. S

Where, by virtue of an enforcement notice, a use of land is required to be discontinued, or any conditions or limitations are required to be complied with in respect of a use of land or in respect of the carrying out of operations thereon, then if any person, without the grant of planning permission, uses the land or causes or permits it to be used, or carries out those operations or causes or permits them to be carried out, in contravention of the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400, or on conviction on indictment to a fine; and if the use is continued after the conviction he shall be guilty of a further offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F11£200] for each day on which the use is so continued, or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6S. 84(7A)(b)(10)(12), 85(10)(11), 86, 87, 87A, 89, 89A extended (with modifications) by S.I. 1984/995, reg. 2, Sch.(which S.I. was revoked (26.3.1992) by S.I. 1992/478, reg.3)

[F1287 Stop Notices.S

(1)Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, where a planning authority have served an enforcement notice, they may at any time before it takes effect serve a further notice (to be referred to as a “stop notice”) referring to the enforcement notice, a copy of which shall be enclosed therewith, for the purpose of prohibiting the carrying out or continuing of any activity or part of any activity which either is alleged in the enforcement notice to constitute or involve a breach of planning control or is so closely associated therewith as to constitute substantially the same activity.

(2)A stop notice—

(a)shall not prevent any person from taking any steps necessary to comply or secure compliance with an enforcement notice;

(b)shall not prohibit any person from continuing to use any building or other land, or any caravan situated upon the land to which the relevant enforcement notice relates, as his permanent residence, whether as owner, occupier, tenant, patient, guest or otherwise.

(3)A stop notice shall specify the date when it is to come into effect, such date not being less than three nor more than 28 days from the date when it is first served (on whatever person) in accordance with the provisions of subsection (6) below.

(4)A stop notice shall cease to have effect—

(a)when it is withdrawn under the provisions of subsection (10) below;

(b)when the enforcement notice to which it relates is withdrawn or quashed; or

(c)when the period for compliance with that enforcement notice specified under section 84(7)(c) of this Act has expired;

whichever is the earlier.

(5)Where the enforcement notice to which a stop notice relates is varied so that it no longer relates to any activity prohibited by the stop notice, the stop notice shall cease to have effect in relation to that activity.

(6)A stop notice may be served by the planning authority on any person who appears to them to have an interest in the land or to be engaged in activities which constitute or involve the breach of planning control alleged in the enforcement notice.

(7)The planning authority may publicise a stop notice by displaying on the land a notice (to be referred to as a “site notice”) which shall state—

(a)the requirements of the stop notice;

(b)that the stop notice has been served on a particular person or persons; and

(c)the consequences under subsection (8) below of contravention of the stop notice.

(8)(a)Any person who wilfully removes, obscures or defaces a site notice shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400, or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

(b)If any person causes or permits any activity in contravention of a stop notice which has effect for the time being and which has been served on him or has been publicised in accordance with the provisions of subsection (7) above, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400, or on conviction on indictment to a fine; and if the offence is continued after conviction he shall be guilty of a further offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F13£200] for each day on which the offence is continued, or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

(c)It shall be a defence in any proceedings under paragraph (b) above that the stop notice was not served on the accused and that he had no reasonable cause to believe that the activity was prohibited by a stop notice.

(9)A stop notice shall not be invalid by reason that the enforcement notice to which it relates was not served as required by section 84(5) of this Act if it is shown that the planning authority took all such steps as were reasonably practicable to effect proper service.

(10)The planning authority may at any time withdraw a stop notice (without prejudice to their power to serve another) by notice which—

(a)shall be served on all persons who were served with the stop notice; and

(b)shall be publicised by displaying it for seven days in place of all or any relative site notices.]

Textual Amendments

F13Words substituted by Housing and Planning Act (c. 63, SIF 123:2), s. 53(1), Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 44(1)(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7S. 84(7A)(b)(10)(12), 85(10)(11), 86, 87, 87A, 89, 89A extended (with modifications) by S.I. 1984/995, reg. 2, Sch. (which S.I. was revoked (26.3.1992) by S.I. 1992/478, reg.3)

Development requiring planning permissionS

[84F1Issue of enforcement notice.S

(1)The planning authority may issue a notice (in this Act referred to as an “enforcement notice”) where it appears to them—

(a)that there has been a breach of planning control; and

(b)that it is expedient to issue the notice, having regard to the provisions of the development plan and to any other material considerations.

(2)A copy of an enforcement notice shall be served—

(a)on the owner and on the occupier of the land to which it relates; and

(b)on any other person having an interest in the land, being an interest which, in the opinion of the authority, is materially affected by the notice.

(3)The service of the notice shall take place—

(a)not more than twenty-eight days after its date of issue; and

(b)not less than twenty-eight days before the date specified in it as the date on which it is to take effect.]

Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 84, 84AA, 84AB substituted for s. 84 (24.2.1992 for purpose of enabling Secretary of State to make regulations under s. 84AA(10), otherwise 26.3.1992) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:2), s.37 (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1992/334, arts. 3, 4.

[F484A Power of regional planning authority to take enforcement action.S

(1)If a regional planning authority are of the opinion that a structure plan prepared by them and approved by the Secretary of State is materially prejudiced by a breach of planning control they may, after consultation with any district planning authority in whose district the breach has taken place, and subject to subsection (2) below, serve an enforcement notice under this subsection requiring the breach Ato be remedied.

(2)Where a regional planning authority serve a notice under subsection (1) above the provisions of sections 84 (except subsection (1)), 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 89A, 166, 265(1)(c) and 265(2A) of this Act shall apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to the regional planning authority and a notice under subsection (1) above as they apply in relation to a district planning authority and a notice under subsection (1) of the said section 84.]

85 Appeal against enforcement notice.S

(1)a person on whom an enforcement notice is served, or any other person having an interest in the land may, at any time [F5before the date specified in the notice as the date on] which it is to take effect, appeal to the Secretary of State against the notice on any of the following grounds—

(a)that planning permission ought to be granted for the development to which the notice relates or, as the case may be, that a condition or limitation alleged in the enforcement notice not to have been complied with ought to be discharged;

(b)that the matters alleged in the notice do not constitute a breach of planning control;

[F6(bb)that the breach of planning control alleged in the notice has not taken place;]

(c)in the case of a notice which, by virtue of section 84(3) of this Act, may be served only within the period of four years from the date of the breach of planning control to which the notice relates, that that period has elapsed at the date of service;

(d)in the case of a notice not falling within paragraph (c) of this subsection, that the breach of planning control alleged by the notice occurred before the beginning of 1965;

(e)that the enforcement notice was not served as required by section 84(5) of this Act;

(f)that the steps required by the notice to be taken exceed what is necessary to remedy any breach of planning control;

(g)that the specified period for compliance with the notice falls short of what should reasonably be allowed.

[F7(2)An appeal under this section shall be made by notice in writing to the Secretary of State.

(2A)A person who gives notice under subsection (2) of this section shall submit to the Secretary of State, either when giving the notice or within such time as may be prescribed under subsection (2B) of this section, a statement in writing—

(a)specifying the grounds on which he is appealing against the enforcement notice; and

(b)giving such further information as may be so prescribed.

(2B)The Secretary of State may prescribe the procedure to be followed on appeals under this section, and (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions of this subsection) in so prescribing—

(a)may specify the time within which an appellant is to submit a statement under subsection (2A) of this section and the matters on which information is to be given in such a statement;

(b)may require the planning authority to submit, within such time as may be specified, a statement indicating the submissions which they propose to put forward on the appeal;

(c)may specify the matters to be included in such a statement;

(d)may require the authority or the appellant to give such notice of an appeal under this section as may be specified, being notice which in the opinion of the Secretary of State is likely to bring the appeal to the attention of persons in the locality in which the land to which the enforcement notice relates is situated;

(e)may require the authority to send to the Secretary of State, within such period from the date of the bringing of the appeal as may be specified, a copy of the enforcement notice and a list of the persons on whom the notice has been served.

(2C)The Secretary of State—

(a)may dismiss an appeal if the appellant fails to comply with subsection (2A) above within the time prescribed under subsection (2B)(a) above; and

(b)may allow an appeal and quash the enforcement notice if the planning authority fail to comply with any requirement imposed by virtue of paragraph (b), (c) or (e) of subsection (2B) above.

(2D)Subject to subsection (2C) above, the Secretary of State shall, if either the planning authority or the appellant so desire, afford to each of them an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by him for the purpose.]

(3)Where an appeal is brought under this section, the enforcement notice shall be of no effect pending the final determination or the withdrawal of the appeal.

(4)On an appeal under this section—

(a)the Secretary of State may correct any informality, defect or error in the enforcement notice if he is satisfied that the informality, defect or error is not material;

(b)in a case where it would otherwise be a ground for determining the appeal in favour of the appellant that a person required by section 84(5) of this Act to be served with the notice was not served, the Secretary of State may disregard that fact if neither the appellant nor that person has been substantially prejudiced by the failure to serve him.

(5)On the determination of an appeal under this section, the Secretary of State shall give directions for giving effect to his determination, including, where appropriate, directions for quashing the enforcement notice or for varying the terms of the notice in favour of the appellant; and the Secretary of State may—

(a)grant planning permission for the development to which the enforcement notice relates or, as the case may be, discharge any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission for that development was granted;

[F8(aa)grant planning permission for such other development on the land to which the enforcement notice relates as appears to him to be appropriate;]

(b)determine any purpose for which the land may, in the circumstances obtaining at the time of the determination, be lawfully used having regard to any past use thereof and to any planning permission relating to the land.

(6)In considering whether to grant planning permission under subsection (5) of this section, the Secretary of State shall have regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the subject-matter of the enforcement notice, and to any other material considerations; and any planning permission granted by him under that subsection may—

(a)include permission to retain or complete any buildings or works on the land, or to do so without complying with some condition attached to a previous planning permission;

(b)be granted subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State thinks fit;

and where under that subsection he discharges a condition or limitation, he may substitute for it any other condition or limitation.

(7)Where an appeal against an enforcement notice is brought under this section, the appellant shall be deemed to have made an application for planning permission for the development to which the notice relates and, in relation to any exercise by the Secretary of State of his powers under subsection (5) of this section, the following provisions shall have effect—

(a)any planning permission granted thereunder shall be treated as granted on the said application;

(b)in relation to a grant of planning permission or a determination under that subsection, the Secretary of State’s decision shall be final; and

(c)for the purposes of section 31 of this Act, the decision shall be treated as having been given by the Secretary of State in dealing with an application for planning permission made to the. . . F9 planning authority.

(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F10

(9)Subject to section 279 of this Act, Schedule 7 to this Act applies to appeals under this section, including appeals under this section as applied by regulations under any other provision of this Act.

(10)The validity of an enforcement notice shall not, except by way of an appeal under this section, be questioned in any proceedings whatsoever on any of the grounds specified in paragraphs (b) to (e) of subsection (1) of this section.

(11)Subsection (10) of this section shall not apply to proceedings brought under section 86 of this Act against a person who—

(a)has held an interest in the land since before the enforcement notice was served under section 84 of this Act; and

(b)did not have the enforcement notice served on him thereunder; and

(c)satisfies the court that—

(i)he did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know that the enforcement notice had been served; and

(ii)his interests have been substantially prejudiced by the failure to serve him.

86 Penalties for non-compliance with enforcement notices. S

Where, by virtue of an enforcement notice, a use of land is required to be discontinued, or any conditions or limitations are required to be complied with in respect of a use of land or in respect of the carrying out of operations thereon, then if any person, without the grant of planning permission, uses the land or causes or permits it to be used, or carries out those operations or causes or permits them to be carried out, in contravention of the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400, or on conviction on indictment to a fine; and if the use is continued after the conviction he shall be guilty of a further offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F11£200] for each day on which the use is so continued, or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6S. 84(7A)(b)(10)(12), 85(10)(11), 86, 87, 87A, 89, 89A extended (with modifications) by S.I. 1984/995, reg. 2, Sch.(which S.I. was revoked (26.3.1992) by S.I. 1992/478, reg.3)

[F1287 Stop Notices.S

(1)Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, where a planning authority have served an enforcement notice, they may at any time before it takes effect serve a further notice (to be referred to as a “stop notice”) referring to the enforcement notice, a copy of which shall be enclosed therewith, for the purpose of prohibiting the carrying out or continuing of any activity or part of any activity which either is alleged in the enforcement notice to constitute or involve a breach of planning control or is so closely associated therewith as to constitute substantially the same activity.

(2)A stop notice—

(a)shall not prevent any person from taking any steps necessary to comply or secure compliance with an enforcement notice;

(b)shall not prohibit any person from continuing to use any building or other land, or any caravan situated upon the land to which the relevant enforcement notice relates, as his permanent residence, whether as owner, occupier, tenant, patient, guest or otherwise.

(3)A stop notice shall specify the date when it is to come into effect, such date not being less than three nor more than 28 days from the date when it is first served (on whatever person) in accordance with the provisions of subsection (6) below.

(4)A stop notice shall cease to have effect—

(a)when it is withdrawn under the provisions of subsection (10) below;

(b)when the enforcement notice to which it relates is withdrawn or quashed; or

(c)when the period for compliance with that enforcement notice specified under section 84(7)(c) of this Act has expired;

whichever is the earlier.

(5)Where the enforcement notice to which a stop notice relates is varied so that it no longer relates to any activity prohibited by the stop notice, the stop notice shall cease to have effect in relation to that activity.

(6)A stop notice may be served by the planning authority on any person who appears to them to have an interest in the land or to be engaged in activities which constitute or involve the breach of planning control alleged in the enforcement notice.

(7)The planning authority may publicise a stop notice by displaying on the land a notice (to be referred to as a “site notice”) which shall state—

(a)the requirements of the stop notice;

(b)that the stop notice has been served on a particular person or persons; and

(c)the consequences under subsection (8) below of contravention of the stop notice.

(8)(a)Any person who wilfully removes, obscures or defaces a site notice shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400, or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

(b)If any person causes or permits any activity in contravention of a stop notice which has effect for the time being and which has been served on him or has been publicised in accordance with the provisions of subsection (7) above, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400, or on conviction on indictment to a fine; and if the offence is continued after conviction he shall be guilty of a further offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F13£200] for each day on which the offence is continued, or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

(c)It shall be a defence in any proceedings under paragraph (b) above that the stop notice was not served on the accused and that he had no reasonable cause to believe that the activity was prohibited by a stop notice.

(9)A stop notice shall not be invalid by reason that the enforcement notice to which it relates was not served as required by section 84(5) of this Act if it is shown that the planning authority took all such steps as were reasonably practicable to effect proper service.

(10)The planning authority may at any time withdraw a stop notice (without prejudice to their power to serve another) by notice which—

(a)shall be served on all persons who were served with the stop notice; and

(b)shall be publicised by displaying it for seven days in place of all or any relative site notices.]

Textual Amendments

F13Words substituted by Housing and Planning Act (c. 63, SIF 123:2), s. 53(1), Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 44(1)(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7S. 84(7A)(b)(10)(12), 85(10)(11), 86, 87, 87A, 89, 89A extended (with modifications) by S.I. 1984/995, reg. 2, Sch. (which S.I. was revoked (26.3.1992) by S.I. 1992/478, reg.3)