The appeal is made by the appellant Jessica Dodd against an enforcement notice issued by the Council on 03 September 2025.
The council’s enforcement reference is ENF/2025/0074. The Planning Inspectorate’s appeal reference is APP/Y0435/C/25/3373393.
The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed a valid appeal has been received and it will be handled by a public hearing. It has appointed an inspector, S Hand MA to determine this.
The start date is the 30th September 2025. The timeline of the appeal process is set out in the Start Letter, as modified by the Planning Inspectorate’s letter on 11 December 2025 confirming a revised date for the public hearing. Notification letters have been circulated to interested parties.
The public hearing will start on Tuesday 24th February 2026 at 10am and will be held at Margaret Powell House (Main conference suite), 423 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 3BN. The Hearing is expected to last for 1 day.
What is the position of the Council on the appeal?
The Enforcement Notice was served on 03 September 2025 in respect of the following breaches of planning control:
- Without planning permission, the unauthorised change of use of the Land for the stationing of caravans for human habitation (The Unauthorised Change of Use).
- Without planning permission, the unauthorised operational development in the form of the laying of tarmac and hard surfaces within part of the Land; (The Unauthorised Operational Development).
The council considers these as acts of development which are not immune from enforcement action, and sets out requirements to rectify the breaches of planning control. These are set out in the enforcement notice.
The council contends that the development would conflict with several policies of Plan:MK and national planning policy as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.
Why has the appeal been made?
The appellant Jessica Dodd is appealing against the enforcement notice served by the Council.
The appeal is made on the following grounds, as specified under legislation:
- Ground a: that planning permission ought to be granted for the development.
- Ground g: that the period for compliance with the notice is too short.
Further guidance is available here: Procedural Guide: Enforcement notice appeals.
What is the role of the Planning Inspectorate?
Planning appeals are managed and determined by the Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The Inspectorate will appoint an independent Inspector to consider the evidence presented by the appellant, the Council and interested parties, and provide a decision (or recommendation to the Secretary of State if the matter is called in by them).
What is the appeal process?
The appeal process lets the Planning Inspectorate consider all the material planning considerations that are relevant to the case, and from all parties, including from the local planning authority, the applicant and from those who might have made representations.
There is a strict process and timeframe for the submission and processing of appeals.
The appeal process starts with the opportunity for interested parties to submit written representations to the Inspector.
Comments previously made by interested parties will be taken into account by the Inspectorate. It is not necessary to submit comments again unless it is felt necessary to amend, supplement or withdraw them.
The council, in its capacity as the local planning authority, will prepare a Statement of Case, to be submitted to the Inspector, and this will be uploaded to the local planning authority's planning register.
When the hearing opens, the Inspector will determine the manner in which evidence is to be heard. A site visit will usually follow the hearing of evidence, although no evidence or opinion will be heard during the visit. The Inspector will then normally issue their written decision in a specified timeframe, either dismissing the appeal or allowing the appeal.
The decision will be published on the Inspectorate’s website and a copy will be kept on the local planning authority’s planning register.
Who are the main parties?
The main parties in this inquiry are the appellant and the local planning authority.
Observing and taking part in the public hearing
It is unknown how many local residents and other people with an interest will wish to appear at the event, but the inspector has made clear that they must be accommodated.
Further guidance is available here: Enforcement appeals dealt with by a hearing: taking part
What if I feel unable to take part?
If you want to take an active part but feel unable to for any reason, or the points you want to make are not covered in the evidence of others, consider whether someone else could raise them on your behalf.
Where can I view the appeal documents?
The Council’s, appellant’s and any other parties’ statements can be viewed on our website https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/planning-and-building/key-planning-appeals. These documents can also be viewed during normal working office hours at Milton Keynes City Council, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ by appointment, please contact dcappeals@milton-keynes.gov.uk to arrange.
Will the inspector visit the site?
The inspector will carry out unaccompanied site visits before the hearing and a site visit after the hearing. The post-hearing site visit will be part accompanied and part unaccompanied. The main parties will submit, before hearing opens, a list of private properties to be visited accompanied and a list of places to visit unaccompanied.
Where will the decision be published?
The decision on the appeal will be published on the Inspectorate's website.
A copy of the decision will be kept on the local planning authority's planning register.