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Planning Permission

Asked by Dr Ben SpencerConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 21 November 2025UIN 91162

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of financial pressures in local government on the delivery of effective planning enforcement.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance. It is for authorities to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case.

It is also for local planning authorities to ensure they have the resources in place to carry out their planning enforcement function effectively.

For a summary of the steps the government is taking to support capacity and capability within local planning authorities, including within their enforcement teams, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 67508 on 14 July 2025.

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