At the next meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Elected Members will be asked to approve an updated version of the Council's Planning Enforcement Charter.
The Planning Enforcement Charter is key to clarifying the Council's role within, and approach to, planning enforcement; both to stakeholders who report suspected breaches of planning control and to those who have an interest in the site subject of the possible breaches.
Councillor Eric Drysdale, Convener of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: "Our planning enforcement charter is designed to ensure that when officers are investigating any planning breaches or enforcement issues that everyone is treated fairly. The Planning and Enforcement Team has recently added additional members to the team and are working to ensure that all reported breaches are investigated a quickly as possible."
It is recommended that the proposed 'Priorities for Planning Enforcement' in the 2024 Charter remain largely unchanged. However, since the adoption of the last Charter the economy, businesses and individuals have had to adapt to manage the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis. It is therefore proposed to expand one of the existing priorities to underline the proportionate use of action and to act sensitively to exceptional circumstances.
The main changes in the updated charter include:
- Recognising the impact of the cost-of-living crisis;
- Clarify how it will be used in support of the Council's corporate priorities;
- Reflect Development Plan policy objectives;
- Reflect Scottish Government guidance in practice; and
- Set out how and when proportionate enforcement action will be taken (ie. where evidenced planning harm warrants it).
Councillor Drysdale continued: "Officers will assess each reported breach on a case by case basis and aim to work with the resident or business to resolve any issues taking into account any challenges that may prevent a breach being rectified in a timely manner."
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