Stop notice in planning
A stop notice is an enforcement notice that can be issued by a local planning authority if they believe there is a breach of planning control, that is, where development is carried out without the proper planning permission, or where there is a failure to comply with a condition or limitation stipulated on permitted development rights.
It is an order for the ‘relevant activity’ to cease on any part of that land to which the notice relates.
Section 183 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 enables the local planning authority to serve a stop notice either alongside the serving of an enforcement notice, or afterwards. If the compliance period specified in the enforcement notice has expired, and the relevant activity continues, then a stop notice can be issued.
A stop notice can be withdrawn at any time by giving notification to those who were served with the notice. (This does not prejudice the authority’s power to serve another stop notice.)
If more immediate action is required, the local authority can issue a temporary stop notice.
Failure to comply with a stop notice can lead to prosecution and an unlimited fine.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Enforcement notice.
- Local planning authority.
- Permitted development.
- Planning appeal.
- Planning enforcement.
- Planning enforcement officer
- Planning objection.
- Planning permission.
- Regularisation.
- Special Nature Conservation Order SNCO.
- Stop work order.
- Temporary stop notice.
- Town and Country Planning Act
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.