Chapter 4: Grant and Implementation of Planning Permission Section 112: Completion notices Background
Sections 94 to 96 of the TCPA 1990 relate to completion notices. Local planning authorities can serve completion notices on unfinished developments where they are of the opinion that the development will not be completed in a reasonable period specifying that planning permission for any incomplete parts of the development will cease unless it is completed within the period specified in the notice.
	Under existing law, a served completion notice can only take effect once it has been confirmed by the Secretary of State – in effect, requiring the local planning authority to seek approval of the Secretary of State. A completion notice can also only be served after the deadline for commencement for a planning permission (typically introduced under section 91 and 92 TCPA 1990) has passed.
	This section removes the requirement in relation to completion notices served on land in England for Secretary of State confirmation before a completion notice can take effect. A procedure for appeals against the service of a completion notice is also introduced. This section also allows for a completion notice to be served before the deadline for commencement of a planning permission has passed, providing development has begun.