There are growing fears that unauthorized developments may be slipping through the cracks in the Cotswolds due to an increasing backlog of planning enforcement cases. As of last month, Cotswold District Council was managing over 680 live enforcement cases, raising questions about the council’s capacity to effectively address the issue.
The backlog was brought into focus during a recent full council meeting, where Conservative Councillor Tom Stowe (Campden and Vale) questioned whether current staffing levels were sufficient to provide a timely and effective planning enforcement service. Stowe emphasized that planning enforcement has been a persistent challenge for the council over several years.
“Despite repeated warnings, it has taken until now for the Liberal Democrats to recognize the severity of the problem, but it may now be too late, as case numbers continue to rise,” Stowe stated. He also noted that beyond the numbers, residents perceive the service as ineffective, with limited communication, insufficient updates, and inadequate control over unauthorized developments – concerns that are particularly troubling given anticipated growth in the district.
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In response, Housing and Planning Cabinet Member Juliet Layton (Liberal Democrat) revealed that out of 684 live enforcement cases as of March 9, around 420 were categorized as backlog, having originated before the end of 2024.
Layton explained that efforts are underway to tackle the issue, including restructuring the enforcement team and adding two new roles. Currently, four of six positions are filled, with two agency staff brought on board in January and an additional hire expected by the end of March. Furthermore, a team member is anticipated to return from long-term sick leave around late March or early April.
“With full staffing expected shortly, we anticipate the team will have sufficient capacity to address the backlog,” Layton said. She also noted that planning enforcement inherently involves ongoing cases, as some matters require formal action if they cannot be resolved through negotiation or new planning applications.
Layton added that she will be attending an upcoming scrutiny meeting alongside officers to discuss planning enforcement challenges and answer related questions.