Somerset Council has been challenged over delays in taking planning enforcement action at Stoney Ridge in Wrantage, as it emerged that the countywide backlog of outstanding enforcement cases has grown to more than 1,200.
Conservative Councillor David Fothergill raised the case at Full Council, highlighting concerns over a development of 16 static caravans which he said had taken place despite a previous planning refusal.
He also raised concerns that North Curry Parish Council had been advised that action could take up to 18 months because of the significant workload facing the Council’s planning enforcement team.
Cllr David Fothergill asked:
“There are a growing number of examples where the Council is failing to take planning enforcement action, including at Stoney Ridge, Wrantage, where a development of 16 static caravans has been undertaken in spite of previous planning refusal.
“There is considerable Parish Council anxiety that the Clerk has been advised no action will be taken for up to 18 months due to significant enforcement workload.
“How many Enforcement Officers does the Council employ? What is the number of cases currently in the backlog? What is the waiting time for action to be taken on any case which is reported today? What action is being taken to improve on this backlog and ensure enforcement of planning requirements?”
Responding, Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets Cllr Mike Rigby confirmed that in August there were more than 1,200 outstanding enforcement cases. He said there are 10 officers within the enforcement team structure, with 11 members of staff currently covering the service due to additional agency roles.
Cllr Rigby said new reports are usually triaged within a week or two, but the time subsequently taken depends on the individual case. He confirmed that a review of the service had been undertaken, a case for further resources was being progressed and additional agency staff had been brought in to help reduce the workload.
Somerset Conservatives have consistently raised concerns about planning enforcement and pushed for improvements to the service.
In 2025, Conservatives brought forward a Planning Service Recovery Plan calling for action to tackle the enforcement backlog and fill vacant posts with permanent staff. The proposals received cross-party support at Full Council and were subsequently considered by the Executive.
Earlier this year, Conservatives also proposed funding four additional Senior Planning Enforcement Officers as part of their alternative budget, specifically to help tackle the enforcement backlog.
In July, Conservative councillors went further by bringing a motion calling for a review of Somerset Council’s Planning Enforcement Policy and procedures, including whether enforcement powers were being used consistently, whether service standards were adequate and what further improvements were needed. The motion was rejected after Liberal Democrat councillors voted against it.
Somerset Conservatives will continue pressing for a properly resourced and effective planning enforcement service so that reported breaches are investigated and communities can have confidence that planning decisions will be enforced.
