Minerals and waste - planning enforcement and site monitoring

Minerals and waste enforcement

We are responsible for enforcement in respect of minerals and waste matters. Our enforcement protocol sets out our role in enforcement and the standards it intends to follow in this area of work. Copies are available from the Minerals and Waste Team. We are also responsible for the investigation and resolution of breaches of planning control and the non-compliance with conditions in respect of minerals and waste matters in both Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough areas.

Enforcement deals with the situation that arises when development has taken place without the benefit of planning permission or a condition imposed on a planning permission has not been complied with and there is harm being caused to the local environment. Our Planning Appeals & Enforcement Team deals with the investigation and enforcement of all types of breaches of planning control including minerals and waste matters.

The Central Bedfordshire Enforcement Plan (PDF) sets out our role in enforcement and the standards it follows within Central Bedfordshire.

We work with the Bedford Borough Enforcement Plan (PDF) when dealing with breaches in the Bedford Borough area.

Although the number of complaints received each year from members of the public with regard to minerals and waste activity is limited compared to other types of developments, they can often lead to complex investigations due to the scale and nature of the work being carried out. For example: with alleged breaches of noise or on-site dust conditions there is a close liaison with environmental health pollution control section. With regard to businesses involved in the recycling or transfer of waste, the Environment Agency is usually made aware of the complaint.

The key objective throughout is to achieve an acceptable resolution in a reasonable timescale. If there is clear evidence that there is significant irreversible harm being caused to the local environment then formal enforcement action will likely to be progressed as a matter of high priority.