Councillor Barry Clarke has raised concerns over growing delays within Somerset Council’s planning enforcement service, warning that some rural communities feel they are being discouraged from reporting breaches because the system is already overstretched.
Speaking at a recent full meeting of Somerset Council, Councillor Clarke highlighted enforcement concerns affecting villages across the Mendip Central and East division, including Wanstrow, Mells, Leigh-on-Mendip and Coleford.
Councillor Clarke said residents and parish councils were becoming increasingly frustrated by delays and a lack of confidence that reported breaches would be dealt with promptly.
Councillor Barry Clarke said:
"We have planning enforcement issues and delays in Wanstrow, Falkland, Mells, Leigh-on-Mendip, Buckland Dinham, Witham Friary and Coleford - that is half of our parishes.
I am advised that under-resourcing and an over-stretched system will only add to further delays if we wish to follow up these problems or add new ones.
The only advice received is not to send in any more enforcement issues as they will not get dealt with. That is a worry as I and the parishioners affected can only work with the system that the council provides.
He then asked:
"If the system is not fit for purpose currently, what action is being taken to repair it and when will it be ready?"
Council leader Bill Revans admitted that there was a "significant backlog" in enforcement cases, especially within the former Mendip area and that there had been "many challenges" in replacing two permanent members of staff who left when the current unitary authority was created.
He confirmed the council was considering further investment into the service.
