Worries are mounting that unauthorised developments could be slipping through the cracks in the Cotswolds, as the local council grapples with a significant backlog of planning enforcement cases. As of last month, Cotswold District Council was managing over 680 live enforcement cases, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
The issue was brought to attention during the latest full council meeting when Conservative Councillor Tom Stowe (Campden and Vale) questioned whether current staffing levels were sufficient to provide an effective and timely enforcement service. In a written query on March 18, he revealed that planning enforcement has been a persistent problem for several years.
“Despite repeated warnings over time, it appears the council has only recently acknowledged how serious the problem is, and unfortunately, the situation continues to worsen,” Stowe said. “Residents often feel the service is ineffective, citing poor communication, a lack of updates, and concerns about weak control over unauthorised developments—this is particularly troubling given the increasing number of future housing projects planned in the area.”
Responding to these concerns, Juliet Layton, the Housing and Planning Cabinet Member (Liberal Democrat), confirmed that as of March 9, there were 684 live enforcement cases, with 420 classified as backlog, dating from December 31, 2024, or earlier.
Layton explained that the enforcement team has recently been restructured, expanding from four members to six through new hires and agency staff. “Four of the six positions are currently filled following recruitment in January, including two agency roles. We expect to fill another vacancy by the end of March, and an officer currently on long-term sick leave should return by late March or early April,” she said.
With the full team restored, Layton is optimistic the council will soon have the capacity to address the backlog more effectively. However, she cautioned that some enforcement cases naturally remain open for extended periods, as formal action may be necessary if issues can’t be resolved through negotiation or new planning applications.
To improve transparency and oversight, Layton also noted she will be attending a scrutiny meeting with council officers in the near future to discuss planning enforcement questions and strategies.