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 limits are being removed, allowing for potentially much larger 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 (which relate to land maintenance). Currently, these fines are capped at levels defined by a "standard scale". This bill eliminates these caps, enabling local authorities to issue significantly higher fines when landowners fail to maintain their property appropriately as ordered by a notice. The bill applies only to England and Wales and will come into force four weeks after it receives Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to directly increase or decrease government spending. The potential increase in revenue from higher fines is uncertain and depends on the number of enforcement actions taken and the fines levied by local authorities. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Landowners in England and Wales: Those who fail to comply with section 215 notices will face potentially much higher fines.
• Local Authorities in England and Wales: They will have the power to issue significantly larger fines, potentially improving their ability to enforce land maintenance regulations.

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