Purpose

Case Ref:

ENF/2019/0155

Nature of Enquiry:

Alleged unauthorised use of caravan for residential purposes

Location:

The Breakers Yard Fifehead Common To Crate Hill Okeford Fitzpaine Sturminster Newton Dorset DT11 0RT

Decision

This decision is taken under delegated powers set out in Paragraph 145 of the Officer Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s constitution, which grants delegated authority to undertake all action in order to regulate any actual, perceived or potential breach of any of the Town and Country Planning Legislation including:

(f) to determine whether or not to take and/or to cease action whether because in his/her opinion the breach is trivial, there is insufficient demonstrable harm and/or, it is not expedient to take / continue to take action

This authority has been delegated to me through the Local Scheme of Nomination for the Executive Director for Place.

Reasons for the decision

The initial report was that a caravan on site was being used for residential purposes. This was made internally from another team within the Council. The owners stated that there was a requirement for an overnight security presence, and this was accepted. There has been a small extension of the site onto land which appears to form part of the site used as a scrapyard. This extension is negligible when taking into account the size and use of the site. There have been no recorded complaints from members of the public.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option would be to pursue formal enforcement action. However, due to this matter being of low planning harm, it is not expedient to pursue formal action. This is in line with Government guidance which suggests that Local Planning Authorities should act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of planning control.