Section 124 — Service and taking effect of enforcement notice
468.Section 124 sets out the requirements for service of a copy of an enforcement notice and when a notice takes effect.
469.Subsection (2) provides that an enforcement notice will take effect at the beginning of the day specified in the notice. Should an appeal against the notice be made to the Welsh Ministers, section 127(4)(a) provides that the notice will not take effect until the appeal is finally determined or withdrawn. However, should an appeal against a decision of the Welsh Ministers on an enforcement notice be made to the High Court, section 184(5) provides that the Court may order that the enforcement notice is to have effect, either in full or to the extent specified in the order.
470.Subsection (3) provides that an enforcement notice can set different periods for taking different steps. Such flexibility enables an enforcement notice to make appropriate provision for the conservation requirements of a building. For instance, a phased series of steps might be set to achieve the satisfactory restoration or stabilisation of a building damaged by unauthorised works.
471.Subsection (4) requires a copy of the notice to be served on every owner and occupier of the building and any other person who has an interest in the building that the authority considers to be materially affected by the notice.
472.Subsection (5) requires a copy of the notice to be served before the end of 28 days after the day on which it was issued, and at least 28 days before the date specified in the notice as the date on which it is to take effect. “Issued” here means when the enforcement notice was agreed by the relevant committee or delegated officer of the planning authority.
