Enfield Council’s Planning and Building Control team has made significant improvements to its service during the past 18 months with a 93 per cent decrease in outstanding cases.
In response to invaluable feedback from residents and councillors, the team embarked on a thorough examination of service delivery methods, pinpointing areas for improvement.
Introducing new ways of working and performance management practices has bolstered the service’s efficiency. There has also been a concerted effort to enhance customer engagement, fostering a more responsive approach.
Before new ways of working were introduced, there were 1,500 cases outstanding, but the total has reduced to fewer than 100 cases.
More than 200 enforcement notices were served by the Council in 2023, compared to just eight notices in 2022. This ranks Enfield Council second nationally for government performance in issuing contravention notices.
Enforcement officers diligently investigate violations such as unauthorised building work, non-compliance with planning conditions, and unauthorised changes to building or land use.
The Council is committed to swift and decisive action against planning breaches, ensuring accountability among those responsible.
Looking ahead, the Council pledges to share further examples of successful case resolutions, including recent milestones such as the demolition of an unauthorised residential unit and the issuance of a Section 215 Notice for land clearance.
Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan said: “Achieving and creating a more effective planning and enforcement department at Enfield Council has been a top priority for our administration.
"The Cabinet Member together with the whole of Cabinet and senior council officers have been laser focused on driving this improvement, and we are committed to continuing this work going forward.”
Enfield Council reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its current performance standards and advancing cases involving serious breaches of planning control, thereby safeguarding the community's interests.
Residents who are concerned about potential planning breaches are advised to contact the Council’s Planning Enforcement Team, by completing a confidential reporting form.
Picture: A single storey rear extension was built with a flat above. The flat was unauthorised and provided substandard accommodation, so the owner was ordered to remove it.