Overview

This bill aims to increase the fines for landowners in England and Wales who fail to comply with maintenance notices issued under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The current fine limitations are being removed, allowing for significantly higher penalties.

Description

The Planning (Proper Maintenance of Land) Bill amends the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Specifically, it removes the upper limits on fines for non-compliance with section 215 notices (relating to land maintenance). This section currently allows for a fine "not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale," and a daily fine "not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale" for continuing offenses. The bill eliminates these limitations, enabling courts to impose substantially higher penalties in cases of neglected land.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to directly increase government spending. Instead, it aims to increase revenue through higher fines for non-compliant landowners. The exact financial impact is uncertain, as it depends on the number of future non-compliance cases and the level of fines imposed by the courts.

Groups Affected

• Landowners in England and Wales: This bill directly affects landowners who receive section 215 notices. They will face potentially much larger fines for non-compliance.
• Local authorities in England and Wales: Local authorities will be able to issue larger fines, potentially leading to more effective enforcement of land maintenance regulations.
• Courts: Courts will have greater flexibility in sentencing for land maintenance violations.

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