s 171BB Planning enforcement orders: procedure
(1) An application for a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control may be made within the 6 months beginning with the date on which evidence of the apparent breach of planning control sufficient in the opinion of the local planning authority to justify the application came to the authority's knowledge. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a certificate— (a) signed on behalf of the local planning authority, and (b) stating the date on which evidence sufficient in the authority's opinion to justify the application came to the authority's knowledge, is conclusive evidence of that fact. (3) A certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed is to be deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved. (4) Where the local planning authority apply to a magistrates' court for a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control in respect of any land, the authority must serve a copy of the application— (a) on the owner and on the occupier of the land, and (b) on any other person having an interest in the land that is an interest which, in the opinion of the authority, would be materially affected by the taking of enforcement action in respect of the apparent breach. (5) The persons entitled to appear before, and be heard by, the court hearing an application for a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control in respect of any land include— (a) the applicant, (b) any person on whom a copy of the application was served under subsection (4), and (c) any other person having an interest in the land that is an interest which, in the opinion of the court, would be materially affected by the taking of enforcement action in respect of the apparent breach. (6) In this section “ planning enforcement order ” means an order under section 171BA(1).