In the most recent planning statistics published by the Department of Infrastructure covering Q3 of 2016, there is has been a small drop in the number of planning enforcement notices compared with Q2, but the year on year trend continues to show a steep increase with new planning enforcement cases being up 18.8% on the same period in 2015.

The Q2 high reported for 2016 is the highest number of cases opened since 2010 and given the increase in enquiries received by C60 Architects and Town Planners in relation to planning enforcement or regularisation and retrospective approval, the trend looks set to continue in 2017.

If you have received a letter threatening planning enforcement or a formal planning enforcement notice, act quickly as failure to comply with a formal notice is a criminal offence and if convicted of an offence can attract a hefty fine, not to mention a large legal bill.