Certificate in Planning Enforcement (CPE) - Ivy Legal

On 1 May we continue with Module 3 of our September 2025 intake and we start with Module 1 of our May 2026 intake

The course is aimed at both new and more seasoned planning enforcement officers and aims to provide a thorough grounding in the legal and practical aspects of planning enforcement.

The course provides officers with a thorough grounding in the principles behind their planning enforcement powers and, through case studies and small group work, examples of the exercise of those powers in practice and the pitfalls and strategies which can be employed.

Training involves a mixture of taught (online) classes, case studies and small group work and we aim to make the training days as intensive and immersive as possible.

The Certificate in Planning Enforcement consists of 4 modules and can be completed consecutively or, exceptionally, out of order.

The certificate course runs over 16 months

Module 1     (Residential*)

Starting in May 2026 

Training days on 25 & 26 June 2026

Looking at: 

• Introduction and principles of planning enforcement
• Development, permission, immunity and expediency
• Investigation powers, entry powers, safe working practices, sources of information
• Negotiation and effective enforcement

Module 2    (Virtual)

Starting in September 2026 

Training dates on 8 & 9 October 2026

Looking at: 

• Enforcement Notices and Breach of Condition notices – basis for issue, delegated powers, notice requirements, identifying the breach, identifying the steps, service and registration requirements.
• Getting the notice and report right 

Module 3   (Virtual)

Starting in January 2027

Training days on 4 & 5 February 2027

Looking at: 

• Appeals – preparation at notice stage, how to defend the appeal, different processes, roles of planning enforcement officer and/or advocate, evidence rules, practical application of the burden of proof.
• Prosecutions – the offences, rules of evidence, how to write summons and witness statement, how to give evidence
• Court challenges – s288 and 289 reviews and residual judicial review, nullity

Module 4    (Virtual)

Starting in May 2027 

Training dates on 10 & 11 June 2027

Looking at:

• Specialisms - trees, listed buildings and adverts
• Specialist subjects, including gypsy & traveller cases, outbuildings, shisha, kiosks

The structure for all 4 modules each consists of

• A self-study component
• Completion of a quiz
• Attendance of two on-line training days 
• Submission of an essay

Cost: £1500 plus VAT per module

The course will be led by Izindi Visagie, founder and partner at Ivy Legal and Mike Hyde of MH Planning Associates