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Written question asked by Cameron Thomas (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 29 August 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 September 2025. It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Monday, 15 September 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.


Travellers: Caravan Sites

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing immediate stop notices with penalties for breaches to help reduce cases of members of the travelling community developing on Green Belt land.

Answer

Enforcement is at the discretion of local planning authorities. They have a wide range of powers with strong penalties for non-compliance and it is for them to decide how and when they use those powers depending on the circumstances of each case.

The government has no plans to amend local planning authorities’ enforcement powers at this time. We will, however, continue to keep the operation of the enforcement system under review.

With regard to capacity and capability, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 67508 on 14 July 2025.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
73298
Session
2024-26
Related items
Planning: Staff
Monday, 21 July 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Caravan sites Green belt Travellers
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk