Which statement correctly summarises the planning time limits: four years to serve enforcement notices and ten years for other material changes or breach of condition?

• A. 4 years for service; 10 years for other material changes or breach of condition
• B. 2 years for service; 5 years for other material changes
• C. 6 years for service; 12 years for other material changes
• D. 1 year for service; 7 years for other changes

Answer: (A)

Time limits govern when enforcement action can be taken by a planning authority. For most breaches of planning control, enforcement action must be started within four years of the breach occurring; if it isn’t, the right to take enforcement action can expire. For breaches involving a change of use or a breach of a planning condition, the longer ten-year period applies, after which enforcement action can no longer be pursued. So this statement reflects the standard split: four years to serve enforcement notices for typical breaches, and ten years for changes of use or breach of condition. For example, unauthorised development like building works generally must be addressed within four years, whereas a change of use that has continued for ten years can become immune from enforcement.