NEWS

Construction sector’s new risk

Productivity in the construction sector could be at risk from the increasing usage of temporary stop notices, it has been claimed.

According to a new report, the number of these notices being issued rose by 131 per cent in the last year, Building magazine reports.

It was found that they were being given for increasingly minor offences, which could increase cost and reduce productivity for builders.

Temporary stop notices were introduced in 2005 under Section 171E of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and are issued when a council considers there has been a breach of planning control and it is necessary to safeguard the amenity of the area immediately.

They come into effect as soon as they are served.

Planning specialist Giles Ferin said: "The problem with temporary stop notices is that they are just too easy to use. For developers, a 28 day stoppage would undoubtedly lead to delays in completion and this could trigger penalty payments to the client."