Enforcement and appeals

Fences and Walls - how do physical boundaries impact social wellbeing?

2026-03-20T15:36:21Z

Hi all,

I hope you don't mind me posting this here but I'm asking for your help with a survey that forms part of my MSc research project at Oxford Brookes.

The research will examine differences between planning professionals and the general public in their views on the relationship between physical boundaries and social sustainability. I'm sure as fellow Enforcement folk you have dealt with your fair share of weird and wonderful fences and walls! Insights from members of this group would therefore be incredibly valuable and massively appreciated.

The survey link is included below, and it should take no more than 15 minutes. If possible, I would really appreciate responses within the next two weeks.

Click: How do physical boundaries in urban environments impact social wellbeing?
Thank you very much in advance for your time and support. Please do reach out if you have any questions.

Happy Friday

RE: Planning enforcement performance indicators

2025-11-06T08:28:28Z

Thanks Mark, I've asked to join.

RE: Planning enforcement performance indicators

2025-11-06T07:17:39Z

Faye

You may want to repost on the Planning Enforcement Group for a wider response

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Planning enforcement performance indicators

2025-11-05T09:35:59Z

We are currently reviewing our enforcement plan and considering our KPI's. I would appreciate if you could share the type of stats you monitor for compliance, particularly interested in any targets you've set for action to be taken by.

My email is faye.smith@tewkesbury.gov.uk, many thanks.

RE: Mobile home in the garden

2024-04-27T09:46:31Z

Renting a mobile home can be a practical and cost-effective housing solution for those seeking flexibility and affordability. With the option to move locations relatively easily and often at a lower cost compared to traditional housing, renting a mobile home offers a sense of freedom and adaptability. Plus, modern rent mobile home can provide comfortable amenities and living spaces, making them an attractive choice for individuals and families looking for a cozy place to call home without the constraints of a fixed location.

Fencing PD

2024-04-12T07:48:26Z

Trying to find appeals or case law to confirm fencing and how the are measured. Understand its from the natural ground level. However, if for example someone puts a fence up on their land and when measured it complies with PD on their side. However the neighbours garden sits 1m lower so they in essence have the top of the fence sitting sitting above the 1m/2m permitted height does this mean that the fence does not comply with PD?

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-11T17:08:00Z

Thanks again Ted, that is definitely food for thought.

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-08T13:45:11Z

They could try arguing that the caravan should go, To prevent them insiting on the fact the caravan was part and parcel of an enforcment notice in the past you need to point out to them that you can move it tomorrow and either bring it back or bring another one back the day after making there enforcement pointless. They are likely to agree with keepng the one you have, as if they continued with enforcent action and you replected the caravan they would have to explain there actions in waisting money to enforicne the unenforceable

The one thing planning offices dont like it been made to look as though they are waisting council money as there bosses are the planing commitee who have to acount for all expenditure

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-07T14:51:46Z

Yes Nicholas their words the building, yet they still insist on its removal as it formed part of the enforcment notice when it was part of the building whether this is correct i do not know.

Thanks for your advice.

Neil

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-06T13:42:22Z

just noticed you said enforcement notice stated "............................remove the building"

are these their words or yours?

legal point = "caravan" is not a "building"

you removed the extention to the caravan that made it a building

I agree, that should satisfy, so why do they want the caravan moving as well ?

Grounds for resistance and Appeal here

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-06T12:40:57Z

Thank you Nicholas and Ted for your kind advice.

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-05T11:09:09Z

It's getting a bit more involved now.

You can only have one caravan in the curtilage of the property without planning permission.

I would recommend you do not rebuild the caravan unless you are very knowledgeable, as you will almost certainly break one of the rules that define it as a caravan, such as it must not have a ceiling higher than 10 ft and must be movable, etc., etc. They only have to find one mistake you have made to demand removal.

If you want to place a caravan in a paddock, this will not be considered in the curtilage of the property, even if it's on one set of deeds.

For this to be allowed, it must be over 12 acres or forestry.

Based on the details you have now disclosed, unless you have more than 12 acres, I would go back to basics and get yourself to one caravan in the curtilage. Make sure that the council agrees it's in the curtilage, and they cannot object.

Then, remove it completely and replace it with whatever you want, including a twin-unit mobile home if you want, which complies with the Caravan Act.

Don't believe anyone who tells you a home with skids on is a mobile home, as this has not been decided by the High Court yet, and I am surprised a council has not taken a case this far yet.

I alwayts buy second hand off site branded main streem caravens to ensier there is no case to argue

Certanly dont buy of Bidspotter

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-04T16:19:28Z

The simple answer is to ask the Council for a view on your proposal.

Im sure they will invite a pre-application fee from you before giving advice. You will find details on their website.

hopefully this link will assist you..........................

https://www.ukcaravancentre.co.uk/blog/do-i-need-planning-permission-for-a-static-caravan-on-private-land/

I dont believe there is a limit in law to the number of caravans allowed with in the curtilage of a house.

'Each case on its merits' as they say.

But you will have to justify more than one.

If you rebuild using timber on the original chassis so that it is the same size and movable, it seems to me you could argue that it still confirms to a 'caravan'.

The Council will tell you otherwise.

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-04T15:01:20Z

Thank you all for your kind responses it is clear that you are all extremely knowledgeable on this subject may I therefor ask a few more questions?

Is there any limit in law to the number of caravans allowed with in the curtilage of a house (garden area)?

I have an old touring caravan with in the curtilage of my house that is used to store garden tools etc. it is past its sell by date, would it be possible to rebuild it using timber on the original chassis so that it is the same size and movable or would the council class that as a building operation and say it is no longer a caravan?

Thank you

Neil

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-04T14:58:16Z

Yes Nicholas

It stated remove the building i removed the extention to the caravan that made it a building thinking i had complied but they require the caravan moving as well.

Thanks

Neil

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-03T20:29:43Z

neil

the enforcement notice should state reason for enforcement and what is required to rectify

RE: enforcement caravan

2024-02-03T17:25:23Z

No reason given.

Thanks

Nicholas

RE: Conditions Outside of Red Line

2024-01-31T10:47:11Z

Blue lines are best practice but IMO not essential - S72 allows conditions on "any land under the control of the applicant" - no strict requirement for a blue line

RE: Conditions Outside of Red Line

2024-01-30T21:32:59Z

I always considered that provided it was within the blue land, ie land within the control of the applicant near the applicaion site, then having a landscape condition covering this land was acceptable and enforceable. I have certainly used it on occassion.

Delaying prosecution for so long without good reason would not likely go down well. Unless of course the Council delyaed prosecution whilst they tried to negotiate with the developer to address the issue without recourse to the courts.

RE: Conditions Outside of Red Line

2024-01-30T16:50:57Z

I think the answer to 'was the condition lawful' is found in the words of S72 of the 1990 Act:

72Conditional grant of planning permission.

(1)Without prejudice to the generality of section 70(1), conditions may be imposed on the grant of planning permission under that section—

(a)for regulating the development or use of any land under the control of the applicant (whether or not it is land in respect of which the application was made) or requiring the carrying out of works on any such land, so far as appears to the local planning authority to be expedient for the purposes of or in connection with the development authorised by the permission;