Planning injunctions - Ivy Legal

Join us for our 1 day virtual workshop dealing with Planning Injunctions.  

This training course offers a practical and in-depth exploration of planning injunctions, tailored specifically for planning enforcement officers. It will focus on the steps an officer should take when a breach of planning control is serious, ongoing, or imminent, and where traditional enforcement methods may be ineffective or too slow. The session will guide officers through the early investigative stages; what to look for, what to record, and how to ensure that all actions are properly documented and legally sound to support potential High Court proceedings.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of what a planning injunction is, under Section 187B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and when it is appropriate to seek one. The training will explain the different types of injunctions (interim, final, mandatory, and prohibitory), with examples of typical scenarios, such as unauthorised traveller encampments, imminent works to listed buildings, or persistent breaches despite existing enforcement notices. Officers will learn how to distinguish situations where an injunction is likely to succeed and where it may be vulnerable to challenge.

A key focus will be on the officer’s witness statement, which is often a critical document in the injunction application. The course will break down how to structure a robust and persuasive statement: what evidence to include, how to present your investigation chronologically, the importance of direct observations, use of photographs, complaints, correspondence, and efforts to engage with the site owner or occupier. Officers will be guided on tone, format, and working effectively with legal teams.

The session will also demystify the injunction process, from initial legal referral to drafting, issuing proceedings, and attending court. It will cover officer roles in court (including giving evidence), post-injunction monitoring, and enforcement of breaches of the injunction itself. The course will use real-life case studies and recent court rulings to illustrate key points, and provide practical tools to help officers build a case that can stand up to judicial scrutiny.

By the end of the training, attendees will be confident in recognising when an injunction is appropriate, understanding what groundwork is needed, and producing clear, professional statements that support successful legal outcomes. This is essential knowledge for any officer dealing with high-risk breaches or time-sensitive planning harms.

Course runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm

Cost: £200 plus VAT per delegate

Presented by Izindi Visagie