Lichfield District Council says it is pursuing further enforcement action over development on land at Muckley Corner after activity continued despite a temporary stop notice.
The council said its planning officers became aware of work on the privately owned site near Lichfield around lunchtime on the bank holiday Saturday. A Temporary Stop Notice was drafted and served that afternoon.
What the notice covers
According to the council, the notice prohibited further unauthorised activity, including engineering works, the movement of material and bringing additional caravans onto the land.
In an update issued on 4 September, the authority said further activity had taken place in contravention of that notice and that officers were continuing to gather evidence.
The council said an Enforcement Notice was being served requiring the development to cease and the land to be returned to its previous state. Further legal action was also being considered.
The announcement did not give a compliance deadline for the Enforcement Notice or say that a prosecution had begun.
What happens next
Councillor Richard Cox, cabinet member for community and public protection, said: “Residents should have confidence that when serious issues arise, we are ready to respond quickly and robustly and will continue to take action as a situation develops.”
The council said it would continue to monitor the Muckley Corner site, progress enforcement action and keep residents and councillors informed as the case develops.
A temporary stop notice is an immediate measure aimed at specified activity which a council considers to breach planning control. Government guidance explains that it can be issued without first serving an enforcement notice. Contravening a temporary stop notice is a criminal offence, but the council's allegation that its notice has been breached is not a finding of guilt by a court.
The landowner's response was not included in the council's announcement.
