Issue - meetings

The Development Management and Land Charges Manager presented the report to the Committee.

The Local Enforcement Plan (the ‘Plan’) had been adopted by the Committee in 2019 (refreshed in May 2022 and September 2025) and established the service standards that Planning Enforcement Officers would consider to be specific, measurable, achievable and realistic.

During January 2026 – June 2026, 148 unauthorised activity enquiries had been received, up 23% on the previous 6-month review period.  1 enquiry was a high priority case raised by officers and was investigated / visited on the same date (following investigation, a revised Listed Building Consent application was invited).

17 medium priority and 130 low priority cases were additionally received – 100% of these were visited within the target period as set out in the Local Enforcement Plan (this figure included recent cases received which were yet to be visited though still fell within the target investigation period).

Of the 17 medium priority cases, 8 were pending consideration with 9 resolved / closed (100% of all investigations / visits had begun within 2-weeks).

Out of the 130 low priority cases, 26 were at the time of the writing of the report pending consideration with 104 resolved / closed (100% of all investigations / visits had begun within the 6-week target investigation period, with only 2 cases awaiting investigation / visit).

The statistics highlighted exemplary performance from the department’s dedicated Enforcement Officer, who currently undertook the initial investigations / visits for all new enquiries received.

It was noted that significant progress had been made on resolving enquiries and historic cases.

During January 2026 – June 2026, 5 enforcement notices had been served (further details were in the report).

A Member recommended that all Members of the Council be encouraged to report any potential unauthorised developments within their Wards.

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Tom Munro

RESOLVED that: 1)the report be noted; and,

2)    the planning department’s performance against the service standards in the Local Enforcement Plan and updates on planning enforcement continue to be reported to Planning Committee on a half-yearly basis.