Local Enforcement Plan 2024

1.1. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) encourages effective enforcement action to maintain public confidence in the planning system. It recommends that local planning authorities (LPA's) publish a local enforcement plan to help proactively manage planning enforcement in a way that is appropriate to their area. As set out in the NPPF, planning enforcement action is discretionary, and the local planning authority should act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of planning control.

1.2. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council believes that planning compliance has an important role in ensuring that the policies of the Local Plan are effective and high standards of development are achieved across the Borough.

1.3. The planning enforcement function sits within the Planning Services team and the purpose of this local enforcement plan is to set out our approach to processes and investigating alleged breaches of planning control.