On 25 April 2024 the Planning Act 2008 (Commencement No. 8) and Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024 will come into force which amends section 171B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and brings an end to the 4-year rule for bringing enforcement action against unauthorised operational development or an unauthorised change of use to a single dwellinghouse.
From 25 April 2024 onwards, the time period within which local planning authorities in England can take enforcement action against unauthorised operational development or an unauthorised change of use to a single dwellinghouse is 10 years. This accords with the 10-year period for any other breaches of planning control as well as breaches of conditions. This means that all breaches of planning control can only become immune from planning enforcement action after 10 years. The transitional provisions provide that the 4-year limit will remain where the operations were substantially completed or the breach occurred before 25 April 2024.
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