Decision details

(a) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Mack:

Councillor Mack presented his notice of motion to Council.

It was moved by Councillor Mack and seconded by Councillor Worden “that the notice of motion be referred to the Policy Development Committee for consideration and to produce a full report”.

RESOLVED that the notice of motion be referred to the Policy Development Committee for consideration and to produce a full report.

(b) To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Luggar

It was moved by Councillor Luggar and seconded by Councillor Bushell that “North Devon Council notes with concern and alarm the number of times that environmental damage is caused to the natural environment during development despite the imposition of planning conditions on planning permissions that are meant to protect the same. Too often trees, hedgerows and important habitats are damaged or destroyed when they should be protected for the amenity benefit of the public at large and local residents in particular. North Devon council calls on officers to ensure that planning conditions designed to achieve environmental protection and enhancement are speedily enforced, including by the service of a breach of condition notice if necessary and/or tree protection orders.”

In response to the notice of motion, the Chief Executive advised that the Council already had a planning enforcement team in place to enforce planning conditions. Hedgerows were protected through planning conditions, planning policies and enforcement concordats.  The Council employed specialist officers such as an arboriculturalist and a conservation officer.  He suggested that a report providing an update on enforcement procedures be presented to the Policy Development Committee.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Prowse that “a report on the issue of enforcement procedures and practices be presented to the Policy Development Committee.”

Councillors Luggar and Bushell as the mover and seconder of the motion took the amendment on board.

RESOLVED that a report on the issue of enforcement procedures and practices be presented to the Policy Development Committee.