Planning enforcement at breaking point in Ceredigion
The dire situation with enforcement of planning laws in Ceredigion was highlighted in last week’s meeting of the Council’s Development Control Committee.
The meeting heard that Ceredigion’s sole planning officer receives an average of 400 cases a year. Going around Wales, with most councils having at least two enforcement officers, the next hardest working officer only has to deal with 200 cases a year. When I raised this in the meeting I was told that the astonishing difference in workload between Ceredigion’s enforcement service and others was due to lack of financial resources.
There have been many cases (for example below and here) where, because Ceredigion’s planning enforcement service is so stretched, it's not been possible to be pro-active in monitoring situations where planning rules are in danger of being infringed. Things have consequently exacerbated and legal officers, estates officers or health & safety officers have ended up getting involved before the situation can be resolved.
The meeting heard that Ceredigion’s sole planning officer receives an average of 400 cases a year. Going around Wales, with most councils having at least two enforcement officers, the next hardest working officer only has to deal with 200 cases a year. When I raised this in the meeting I was told that the astonishing difference in workload between Ceredigion’s enforcement service and others was due to lack of financial resources.
There have been many cases (for example below and here) where, because Ceredigion’s planning enforcement service is so stretched, it's not been possible to be pro-active in monitoring situations where planning rules are in danger of being infringed. Things have consequently exacerbated and legal officers, estates officers or health & safety officers have ended up getting involved before the situation can be resolved.
Some of these issues could cost the council less money if they were nipped in the bud early in the process. At the same time a small number of developers know the situation and are taking advantage by sailing close to the wind.
Planning enforcement needs to be properly resourced in Ceredigion and the figures from across Wales show how stretched things are here compared to other places.
Planning enforcement needs to be properly resourced in Ceredigion and the figures from across Wales show how stretched things are here compared to other places.
