Delays in enforcement action at a travellers' site near Taunton have drawn criticism from a former Somerset council leader. David Fothergill, who led Somerset County Council from 2017 to 2022, highlighted concerns regarding the council’s handling of planning enforcement during a recent full council meeting in Bridgwater.
Somerset Council has acknowledged difficulties in managing enforcement cases effectively, including reliance on agency staff from a district council in Staffordshire to assist with workloads. The council currently has over 1,200 active enforcement cases, prompting efforts to bring in additional staff and resources to address the backlog.
Cllr Fothergill, representing the Monkton and North Curry division, referred to the site at Stoney Ridge in Wrantage where 16 static caravans have been developed despite a prior planning refusal. He expressed the parish council’s considerable anxiety, noting that their clerk had been informed enforcement action might not occur for up to 18 months due to workload pressures.
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He queried the number of enforcement officers employed, the size of the backlog, expected waiting times for new cases, measures to improve enforcement, and whether all parish councils were advised against approaching enforcement officers directly or if this applied solely to North Curry.
In response, Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, explained that the enforcement team comprises ten officers with a total of eleven staff including agency personnel. He confirmed over 1,200 outstanding cases as of August, with new reports triaged within one to two weeks to determine the need for investigation.
The enforcement process emphasises negotiation to resolve issues, recognising rights of applicants to seek planning permission and appeal refusals or enforcement notices, which can extend timescales. A comprehensive review of service requirements is underway, and further resources are being sought to support the team while additional agency staff have been engaged to reduce workloads.
Regarding North Curry, Mr Rigby stated the situation relates to the Greenacres site on Oxen Lane, where a High Court injunction was only finalised shortly after the council meeting. To manage correspondence and resource limitations, an agreement for regular updates through the parish council has been established. He reiterated that enforcement concerns can be reported via the council’s website by parish councils and the public alike.