A softly, softly approach to planning enforcement is the reason the Isle of Wight Council doesn’t serve many notices, the local authority has claimed.
Figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show in the year up to September 2021, 16 enforcement actions were undertaken by the Isle of Wight Council, with only 5 enforcement notices issued. This is despite more than 700 enforcement enquiries, of which 250 cases were taken forward for further action.
The Isle of Wight Council has stressed it is active in planning enforcement and its policy sets out how problems are dealt with — trying to resolve the matter early, by negotiation, before formal notices are served. This approach has led to almost all of the 250 aforementioned cases being resolved by negotiation without the need for formal enforcement action.
The spokesperson said:
“While it is true few enforcement cases come to formal action or notices, that is not a failing but a deliberate policy.
“It also does not reflect the work that goes into dealing with many other enforcement enquiries and complaints.”
The council said not only is it cheaper for the taxpayer to resolve problems by early negotiation but it also leads to a quicker resolution.
Where the problem cannot be resolved, the council will continue to serve formal notice, “if it is in the public interest to do so,” the spokesperson said.
The issue was highlighted at the planning committee last Tuesday, where the controversial retrospective application for Atherfield Bay Holiday Camp was approved. Councillor Chris Jarman said he was astonished no one had noticed the work at the site before now, which was being built without following all conditions.
Councillors said the extent of the work done was a step too far and questioned how the council could stop this happening again.
A pledge was made in September to hire more temporary staff to help with the enforcement workload, but none had yet been recruited.
Town and parish councils are also stepping up, with Newport Community Council proposing the funds for a part-time enforcement officer for Newport and Carisbrooke.
When planning permission is given it should not beable to get changed half way through. Classic example of taking the micky out of the concil and the residents of the Isle of Wight is MOSDELL PADOCKS. This should neer have happened. She took liberties and got away with it.
Yes they do NOTHING. They are a waste of money. Get rid of them and reduce the council tax for everyone.
They pass the buck; if you complain they say its a Civil Case or its Highways or Island Roads, or Parking Enforcement or a Police matter THEY DO NOTHING.
We fought them for two years and they did nothing. They didn’t even uphold the conditions that were part of the planning approval and now this small close of what was 10 houses has now become 12 and consequently the turning area is constantly used for parking 5 vehicles.
Causing difficulty and bad feeling with neighbors.
NEVER TRUST PLANNING WITH ANYTHING THEY SAY OR APPROVE.
This approach has led to almost all of the 250 aforementioned cases being resolved by negotiation without the need for formal enforcement action.
From what i can see from a lot of the published issues, it appears to be a case of, oh well, its not in the public interest to do anything about it, yet the majority DO affect those living next to the developments.
They are there to enforce the conditions are adhered to and not to allow wholesale changes that benefit the developers pockets.
I especially liked the Council comment that their Officers “ said not only is it cheaper for the taxpayer to resolve problems by early negotiation but it also leads to a quicker resolution”. Perhaps these proactive and dynamic Planning Officers should be seconded into the Council Purchasing Department who have failed to even commence mediation talks over the Floating Bridge fiasco for several years which has lead to considerable expense for the Island taxpayer.
Seems the council always has an opt out card by saying ‘not doing something’ is cheaper and saves money.
What do your customer satisfaction surveys say?
put the people in charge of council tax they will get the job done they won’t take crap of anyone
Interesting point. There seem to be two types of “enforcement”. I guess in the case of CT the duty to pay is established in law, whereas we would have to pay m’learned friends a lot of Council dosh to get a positive result at Planning appeal.
In the end, it’s down to how much we are prepared to pay to have an effective Council, bearing in mind that central government is removing funding as fast as it can.
Pull your socks up Isle of Wight Council. Get tough, your playing in the big league. Bad decisions and being too soft will have consequences for the island and its residents.
Look at the situation over the West Wight regarding the new development of holiday homes. Who’s in charge, the Council or the developers?!?!?!?!?
Time to get tough.
Plenty of brown envelopes still available on Amazon. Really the report simply stated exactly what everyone has known for a very long time. SACK THE LOT OF THEM, AND THOSE SENIOR TO THEM, ALL THE WAY TO THE VERY TOP.
All the enforcement officer has to do is he job he is paid for without fear or “favour”