While this article looks at enforcement data from 2022, our experience is that Barnet continues to be one of the most active planning enforcement authorities in England.
Just Planning is a planning appeal specialist, and we appeal dozens of planning Enforcement Notices every year.
Barnet is one of our busiest council areas. Government figures show that the London Borough of Barnet issued more Enforcement Notices than almost any other council in England in the year to June 2022.
Across England, 3,501 Enforcement Notices were issued in 2022. Barnet served 120 of these — almost three per week.
The ten councils that issued the highest number of Enforcement Notices were:
- Westminster (130)
- Barnet (120)
- Brent (96)
- Buckinghamshire (94)
- Haringey (72)
- Newham (66)
- Bradford (65)
- Havering (62)
- Ealing (56)
- Hillingdon (52)
Source: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Eight of the ten councils issuing the highest number of Enforcement Notices are in London. This is not particularly surprising, given the higher development pressures across the capital.
That said, receiving an Enforcement Notice is extremely stressful for homeowners. In many cases, development has been carried out in good faith, without any intention to breach planning control. Some homeowners assume that the work they are carrying out is permitted development. In other cases, planning permission exists, but the development has not been carried out exactly in accordance with the approved plans.
An Enforcement Notice should never be ignored. It has serious legal implications and strict deadlines apply. Early professional advice is important, as there are often several possible routes forward, including appeals, retrospective applications or applications for a certificate of lawfulness.
Just Planning is a London-based planning consultancy specialising in planning appeals and enforcement matters. If you have received an Enforcement Notice, you can contact one of our experienced planning consultants for free, impartial initial advice.
In many cases, we recommend appealing the Enforcement Notice. We can prepare, submit and manage enforcement appeals and advise on the best strategy for your particular circumstances. You can read more about our enforcement appeals service here.
