EPPING Forest District Council (EFDC) issued a planning enforcement notice in March 2021 in response to a planning control breach at Rose Farm in Roydon.

The enforcement notice stated that there were changes to the use of land and buildings from agricultural to residential without permission. This included using the land as a residential caravan site.

Next steps

A public enquiry was held in July and August 2023, with the planning inspector giving their final decision on Tuesday 26 September 2023.

The landowner must now carry out the following actions:

• Cease residential occupation of the land and buildings
• Remove all caravans and other domestic items
• Demolish a building and remove hard surfaces

Robust enforcement action

Councillor Ken Williamson, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services said:

“The robust enforcement action taken by the council in this instance demonstrates our determination to ensure that planning controls are adhered to throughout the district.

“We take planning breaches very seriously and will fully investigate any reports we receive. The decision taken by the Planning Inspector to dismiss this appeal should act as a deterrent to anyone who may commit similar breaches of planning control.”