MANY developers who flout planning laws "know the process inside out" and do all they can to draw out enforcement action.

This was a claim made by Mark Hutchinson, an area planning manager at Bradford Council, during a discussion on enforcement action being carried out by the authority.

Members of the Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee had been given an update on enforcement actions recently started by the Council's planning department.

There have been 12 enforcement notices issued in recent months for a number of breaches of planning rules.

These range from unauthorised dormer windows in Queensbury to roller shutters on a Manningham shop and a house built in Menston that was not constructed in line with the approved plans.

Man 'buried head in sand' after being issued enforcement notice

Members asked how successful such enforcement action was.

Councillor Mohammed Amran (Lab, Heaton) said: "How many of these actually get enforced or do they just get put on paper and never get looked at?

"What is the success rate?

"In my ward there are a number of enforcement cases that have gone on so long and still haven't come to court. I get complaints that things are still the same and work hasn't been done two or three years later."

He was told that after an enforcement notice is issued and the threat of prosecution looms, rule breakers often carry out work to rectify the problem.

But Mr Hutchinson said: "It can be a very long, drawn out process.

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"A lot of applicants play the procedural game - they know the process inside out."

If a developer carries out work without planning permission, they then legally can apply for retrospective permission.

If that permission is refused, applicants can appeal.

If that appeal is lost the Council can then issue an enforcement notice. But the applicant can appeal that notice too.

Members asked for an update on successful enforcement action at a future meeting.