Bob Neill, Minister for Planning, spoke at the National Association for Planning Enforcement’s (NAPE) annual conference last week (18th November) at Elmbridge Borough Council in Esher, and sought to assure enforcement officers that they will have a key role to play under the proposed new planning system.

Bob Neill MP also put the proposed planning changes in a political and financial context. Local Government would have less money and have to be more imaginative. The Government did not want to reduce bureaucracy at central government only to find it replaced at a local level. Ministers had a genuine belief that things are done better a local level.

The Minister appreciated what enforcement officers did saying that they were “the unsung heroes of planning”. He acknowledged that it was a difficult job and he believed that “good enforcement is part of a strong and local planning process” and that enforcement should be a “firm but proportionate response”, echoing the Secretary of State Eric Pickles, that legislation should “protect the gormless but come down heavily on the greedy.”

Answering questions from delegates he noted with interest the point that magistrates often fail to take planning breaches seriously, and he also indicated that planning fees would be reviewed.

Sue Taylor, Chair of NAPE said: “It was an incredibly positive day and I would like to thank both Bob Neill for his attendance and for addressing some of our concerns, and Ann Skippers for her continued support.”

Ann Skippers, President of the RTPI said: “Enforcement is not just about taking people to court, it covers mediation and public information as well, and it is a critical part of the any planning system and it was welcome news to hear a Government minister acknowledge the tough job enforcement officers have.”

The event was kindly sponsored by 12 College Place Barristers, Southampton and Francis Taylor Building Barristers, London. The conference facilities were generously provided by Elmbridge Borough Council, Esher, Surrey.

Author:

james butler

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

24-Nov-10

Categories:

 

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