Forum Topic

Planning Enforcement

I have to admit to mixed feelings about the planned eviction today of travellers at Dale Farm in Essex. I am asking, given the very large number of unofficial and possibly officially unchallenged developments in Ealing, "What would Ealing have done?"

Arthur Breens ● 5314d13 Comments

The Planning in Ealing is as bent as a Twyfords toilet bowl.Just look at what got approved in Gloucester Road at both ends and how one application hid the actual type of works.  Dreadful

Michael Brandt ● 5312d

I finally got round to watching this today:http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/episode-guide/series-96/episode-1

Philippa Bond ● 5312d

I found it very hard to get enforcement when a neigbour was working at home as a mechanic .

Graham Weeks ● 5313d

Grahamsounds pretty good. i just remember some stories about someone using a residential property for business reasons many years ago and the lack of enforcement.

Peter Chadburn ● 5313d

In my one year on the Planning Committee I never came across it. Planning was squeaky clean. I think the present law reflects our common law heritage. You can do anything the law does not prohibit. Contrast continental law where all is prohibited unless allowed by law.

Graham Weeks ● 5314d

Yes, but since not everybody can afford to take the risk it is hardly a level playing field. Isn't this often the behaviour of bullying unscrupulous rich developers?

Philippa Bond ● 5314d

By 'backdated planning permission' do you mean build first and then get permission? This is AFAIK perfectly legal if perhaps unwise as a policy.

Graham Weeks ● 5314d

What I find strange is that no one appears to have looked into backdated planning permission in Basildon. I am sure that given Ealing's experience, one may find a councillor who is voting for eviction who has benefited from a backdated application. I will not say any names but i do remember this happening in ealing. The Travellers may be breaking the law, but is that law enforced evenly in essex. The Travellers that I know are a lovely and very honest and decent group of people. In some ways their attitudes towards personal morality and also for being self employed should appeal to the tories of essex.

Peter Chadburn ● 5314d

Jim,Would you like to enlarge if possible? Is it fear of costs to the council because of appeal or some other reason for the U-turn? I haven't a clue but you may have.thanks Arthur

Arthur Breens ● 5314d

From my experience, Ealing would spend months (if not years) opposing the development, then for no apparent reason, change direction at the 11th hour and let it all go ahead irrespective of local planning guidelines and policies, or local opinion.

Jim Louten ● 5314d

Appoint at great expense a travellers' housing officer and welfare officer too... or perhaps they have them already.

Graham Weeks ● 5314d

Charge extra for recycling?

Charles Campbell ● 5314d

"What would Ealing have done?"Slapped a few CPZs in ?

Tony Wood ● 5314d