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A stop notice can be withdrawn at any time by giving notification to those who were served with the notice.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
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
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.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
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.
Setting Expectations on Competence Management
Industry Competence Committee.
New Scottish and Welsh governments
CIOB stresses importance of construction after new parliament elections.
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.



















