HC Deb 16 April 1986 vol 95 c391W
Dr. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide for a statutory time limit within which compliance with an enforcement notice issued by a local authority would be compulsory; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tracey

Section 87(13) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 already provides for an enforcement notice to take effect on a date to be specified in the notice by the local planning authority; and section 87(8) of the Act requires the planning authority to specify the period or periods within which any remedial steps required by the notice must be taken. Once any notice has taken effect, it is a criminal offence, open to prosecution under section 89 of the Act, not to comply with its requirements. My right hon. Friend has no proposals for amending these provisions at present.