Part VII Enforcement

Enforcement notices

176 General provisions relating to determination of appeals.

F1(1)

On an appeal under section 174 the Secretary of State may—

(a)

correct any defect, error or misdescription in the enforcement notice; or

(b)

vary the terms of the enforcement notice,

if he is satisfied that the correction or variation will not cause injustice to the appellant or the local planning authority.

(2)

Where the Secretary of State determines to allow the appeal, he may quash the notice.

(2A)

The Secretary of State shall give any directions necessary to give effect to his determination on the appeal.

(3)

The Secretary of State—

(a)

may dismiss an appeal if the appellant fails to comply with section 174(4) within the prescribed time; and

(b)

may allow an appeal and quash the enforcement notice if the local planning authority fail to comply with any requirement of regulations made by virtue of paragraph (a), (b), or (d) of section 175(1) within the prescribed period.

(4)

If F2section 175(3) would otherwise apply and the Secretary of State proposes to dismiss an appeal under paragraph (a) of subsection (3) F3of this section or to allow an appeal and quash the enforcement notice under paragraph (b) of that subsection, he need not comply with section 175(3).

(5)

Where it would otherwise be a ground for determining an appeal under section 174 in favour of the appellant that a person required to be served with a copy of the enforcement 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.