| Chiswick
Councillors get tough on unlawful development Almost 50% of Chiswick is covered by Conservation Area Status, which means there are tougher planning restrictions in place, and the restrictions are often toughened further by the presence of Article 4 Directions, which remove many ‘permitted development rights’ that would normally allow householders to make changes to their properties without requiring planning permission.
The Planners and Committee Councillors take a very dim of those who try to circumvent the system and are quite prepared to beginning enforcement proceedings to ensure that the rules are followed. It’s very important that Chiswick residents who live in a Conservation Area are aware of the planning restrictions on their home, because it can become expensive and time-consuming once enforcement actions begins.” Although it is not a criminal offence to carry out development without the benefit of planning permission, the Planning Enforcement Team will investigate any such allegations and if substantiated ask the owner/occupier to either remedy or regularise the breach of planning control. If nothing is done, and the unauthorised development remains in place, formal enforcement action may be taken against the unauthorised development. January 16, 2003 |
Cllr
Peter Thompson (pictured left), Chair of the Area Planning Committee,
said, “Planning is one of those areas which is covered by a multitude
of laws and guidelines which can become quite complex, but that
it no reason to disregard them. In most cases the rules are in place
to ensure everyone can appreciate their homes and surroundings without
the detrimental impact of unlawful buildings, developments or eyesores.