To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations she has received on the number of planning enforcement files open and awaiting action by Castle Point borough council; and if she will make a statement. (229315)

The Secretary of State has received no representations concerning planning enforcement cases being dealt with by Castle Point borough council. It is for the local planning authority to decide in each case which is the most appropriate course of action, taking account of local circumstances. PPG 18, Enforcing Planning Control offers guidance to local planning authorities on enforcement issues and gives them a wide range of discretion. Paragraph 5(1) states

“Parliament has given local planning authorities the primary responsibility for taking whatever enforcement action may be necessary, in the public interest, in their administrative area”.

The 2006 planning enforcement review confirmed that local planning authorities had sufficient enforcement powers to deal with breaches of planning control.