Westminster Council seeks residents’ views of its draft planning enforcement plan

Westminster Council has published its new draft planning enforcement document and is seeking the views of local residents through an online survey, as well as a face-to-face event at the Fitzrovia Fete on Sunday 18 August.

The Local Enforcement Plan (LEP) states how the council “will monitor the implementation of planning permissions, investigate alleged cases of unauthorised development, and take action where appropriate”.

The 28 page document (pdf) explains the process of planning enforcement, how to make a report on a breach of planning control, and sets out what the council can and cannot investigate.

The document also explains how those served with an enforcement notice can appeal against the action.

Westminster Council says its planning officers will investigate all reported breaches of planning control but have set out four priority areas to take action on. These are:

• Preventing the loss of permanent residential accommodation in order to protect Westminster’s housing stock (eg, use for unauthorised short-term letting).
• Preventing harm to residential amenity in order to protect and improve the quality of life of Westminster’s residents and communities (eg, noise disturbance from unauthorised plant equipment or an unauthorised use).
• Conserving heritage assets in order to make the most of Westminster’s unique heritage and historic environment (eg, heritage assets such as listed buildings and conservation areas).
• Preventing environmental harm in order to protect biodiversity, improve Westminster’s environment, and meet sustainability and climate objectives (eg, loss of trees, monitoring and enforcing sustainability and waste management conditions).

Planning officers will also investigate unauthorised displays of advertisements, change of use of buildings, and non-compliance with conditions attached to planning permission.

There is now an opportunity to give your views on the LEP and its priorities in a public consultation.

Westminster Council will have a small stall open from 1pm to 5pm at the Fitzrovia Fete, outside Fitzrovia Community Centre in Foley Street, on 18 August 2024 to publicise the service and the current public consultation on the LEP.

“Residents are welcome so come down and have a chat with us about any planning enforcement issues you may be experiencing, or to find out more about what we do,” says the council.

Full details of the draft Local Enforcement Plan and a questionnaire is on the consultation website.