LAWFUL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES

There are a number of benefits in achieving a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development. It is a determination that has legal status providing certainty to prospective developers and purchasers of land and buildings.
 

Certificates of Lawfulness for an Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) can be particularly useful when you are selling property, it has become increasingly common for solicitors and lenders to require confirmation that works already undertaken are lawful.

A CLEUD can also be extremely useful if someone makes an enquiry or complaint about the work and responding to Enforcement Action.

If you are applying for a CLEUD for a breach of planning control to respond to Enforcement Action you may be required to demonstrate with evidence that certain time limits have passed. If you able to provide the required evidence then section 171B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 stipulates that no enforcement action may be taken in respect of the breach (immunity from enforcement) as you have 'established the use / development'.

We are experienced at preparing and submitting lawful development certificates. The collection and assessment of evidence is often crucial and we would be pleased to discuss this with you in greater detail