Planning enforcement team’s ‘extreme pressure’ in officer shortage

A PLANNING enforcement team at a Yorkshire council is under “extreme pressure” as it struggles to cope with fewer and less experienced officers.

Sheffield Council failed to hit its targets on planning enforcement from April to September because of staff shortages, and the number of notices served and prosecutions carried out has also dropped.

Officers take action if developers breach planning permission, if buildings or structures are put up without consent or if there are untidy sites. They can investigate, issue stop notices and ultimately prosecute.

In a report to councillors, the director of development services, Khalid Mahmood, admitted the authority’s ability to carry out enforcement actions is under “significant pressure”. He added: “Ongoing staffing and resources issues have resulted in the six-month service target not being met and the number of notices served and prosecutions carried out have also dropped.

Nevertheless, the service continues to respond effectively to the most serious breaches of planning control.”

During the six-month period, 242 enforcement complaints were received, with the majority – a total of 59 per cent – linked to unauthorised development and land use.

The number of cases resolved in the target of six months was 49 per cent – which has fallen short of the 60 per cent target of but has increased by eight per cent from the previous six months.