Decision Maker: Officer Delegated Decision
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision: To take no further action
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:
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.
Reason(s) for Decisions:
The venue is a residential semi – detached house. The
alleged breach is a bordering timber fence dividing the rear gardens, erected
above the Permitted Development height. The sole complaint is from the
neighbouring premises.
After reviewing the photographs supplies by the
complainant, it would appear that the breach
in question relates to a single trellis addition to the height of the fence to
which would ultimately take the fence approximately 200mm above
Permitted Development regulations. The complainant voices concern for loss of
light. However, the trellis is not solid by nature and allows light
through. In fact, it is the hedge behind the trellis that would be possible of
restricting light.
As such, this matter is perceived as trivial and not in the
public interest to pursue enforcement action.
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.
Publication date: 10/09/2026
Date of decision: 04/09/2026