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Unauthorised Development (Offences)
21 September 2021
Lead MP
Gareth Bacon
Debate Type
General Debate
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Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Gareth Bacon raised concerns about unauthorised development (offences) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The purpose of this Bill is to ensure fairness in the planning system by closing loopholes that allow unauthorised development. Currently, under planning rules, development without permission is not a criminal offence, leading to frequent exploitation of such practices. The proposed legislation aims to remove permissible grounds for unauthorised developments and make them an offence, thereby removing appeal routes and rights of retrospective applications. Government data from March 2021 shows that enforcement measures are rarely effective due to lengthy processes.
Gareth Bacon
Con
Orpington
Mr Bacon highlighted a specific case in his constituency where an unauthorised development has been ongoing on Wheatsheaf Hill, causing concern among residents and local authorities. Despite legal measures like court injunctions, the work continues unabated, suggesting that current enforcement mechanisms are insufficient deterrents.
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