Would a self-certification process to confirm that a development accords with the planning permission be workable?
o. No. There are serious misgivings about self-certification, as it is in the interests of the developer to state the development is in accordance with the planning permission even if this is not the case. If such a scheme was implemented there would need to be effective sanctions, particularly financial. Further, there would be cost implications for planning authorities, as when certificates are received the details would still need to be checked. A better approach would be to introduce a system of certifying compliance with planning permission where the developer would pay for planning authorities to formally check and certify compliance. There is no reason why planning authorities could not provide a certificated service, which could be linked to 14n. above, subject to the developer meeting the cost. Planning authorities would then be fully proactive in ensuring compliance, which would be a very effective way of safeguarding the environment and enhancing the role of planning enforce
