25 Apr Enforcement notice issued to local business for breaking planning rules
Braintree District Council has issued an enforcement notice on local business, Stock Street Farm Barn, for continuing to breach planning rules.
An unauthorised business has been operating at Stock Street Farm Barn, based in Coggeshall, where various types of events such as weddings, live music entertainment and cinema are being held without planning permission.
The business uses operating from the site cannot be accommodated without giving rise to heritage harm and/or highway safety concerns.
Braintree District Council has now served an enforcement notice on the premises to prevent any further events taking place. It is the responsibility of local planning authorities to take action against an individual or business if it is breaching planning laws by not having planning permission.
Cllr Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure at Braintree District Council, said: “We know this is a valued business in the community and recognise the positive benefits it brings to the local economy. Unfortunately, it is not in a suitable location because of the lack of sufficient on-site parking for events, and the resulting harm to the setting of the listed buildings, and it hasn’t sought planning permission from the council for activities on the site. If it was in the right location and had planning permission then we would of course be supportive, but it is our duty as the local planning authority to take robust action against those who breach planning laws and give public confidence that we will not tolerate unauthorised development or activity in our district.”
Braintree District Council is investing over £200,000 in its Planning Enforcement service to enhance the service and increase resource following feedback from residents, members and parish councils.
Residents who suspect there may be a planning breach in the district can report it to Braintree District Council via their website: www.braintree.gov.uk/planningenforcement
