Part VII

Enforcement

Introductory

Time limits in cases involving concealment
171BA
1
Where it appears to the local planning authority that there may have been a breach of planning control in respect of any land in England, the authority may apply to a magistrates' court for an order under this subsection (a “planning enforcement order”) in relation to that apparent breach of planning control.
2
If a magistrates' court makes a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control, the local planning authority may take enforcement action in respect of—
a
the apparent breach, or
b
any of the matters constituting the apparent breach,
at any time in the enforcement year.
3
“The enforcement year” for a planning enforcement order is the year that begins at the end of 22 days beginning with the day on which the court's decision to make the order is given, but this is subject to subsection (4).
4
If an application under section 111(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (statement of case for opinion of High Court) is made in respect of a planning enforcement order, the enforcement year for the order is the year beginning with the day on which the proceedings arising from that application are finally determined or withdrawn.
5
Subsection (2)—
a
applies whether or not the time limits under section 171B have expired, and
b
does not prevent the taking of enforcement action after the end of the enforcement year but within those time limits.
Pt. VII (ss. 172-196C) applied (with modifications) (17.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1492, regs. 2(1)(b), 3-11
Pt. VII (ss. 172-196C) applied (with modifications) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 20(3), Sch. 5 Pt. III paras. 15(1), 20 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 4, Sch. 2
Ss. 171A, 171B and cross heading inserted (2.1.1992 for certain purposes and otherwise 27.7.1992) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), s. 4(1), (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1991/2905, art.3 (subject to art. 5); S.I. 1992/1630, art. 2 (with art. 3(1))
Pt. 7 modified (16.9.2011) by The Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2305), regs. 1, 19(2)
Ss. 171BA-171BC inserted (6.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 124(1), 240(2) (with s. 144); S.I. 2012/628, art. 8(b) (with arts. 9, 12, 13, 16, 18-20) (as amended (3.8.2012) by S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 4)
Pt. 7 applied (with modifications) (4.7.2023) by The Building Safety (Responsible Actors Scheme and Prohibitions) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/753), regs. 1(1), 41, Sch. (as amended (E.) (25.4.2024) by The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/453), regs. 1(2), 4(2))