Occasionally, individuals residing within a local authority, use their homes for “photographic shoots” i.e. their homes are used by commercial organisations to take photographs of equipment, furniture or modelling within a domestic setting.
These are actual residential addresses, not business premises but nevertheless the residential owner occupier allows the use temporarily, on a day-to-day basis or otherwise for the use of these photographic shoots (still photographs) for financial reward of some kind i.e. possibly one off payment
Within your planning department can you please inform me whether:
There is guidance for owner occupiers on what is permissible. If so, please provide me with appropriate copy of said guidance. This can either be an internal memo or memorandum, advisory notes, within the planning department or that published in the public domain
There is guidance for internal planning officers or building control officers on what is permissible. If so please provide me with appropriate copy of said guidance. This can either be an internal memo or memorandum, advisory notes, within the planning department or that published in the public domain
Possible contravention of planning laws in relation to photographic shoots
where planning officers may undertake a visit to domestic premises to determine whether or not these are identified activities and do not breach planning law i.e. change of use from residential to commercial use of the said premises, please can you provide me with the following information:
How many visits to domestic premises have been undertaken in the last three (3) years since January 2015 by your local authority planning officers or otherwise with regards to investigation of the use of domestic premises for the use of photographic shoots.
The number of planning contravention notices (PCNs) issued to domestic premises in relation to the use of premises for photographic shoots in the last three (3) years since January 2015
The number of requests from domestic premises for service delivery plans, and or other information with regards to photographic shoots to inform those dealing with possible planning contraventions in the last three (3) years, since January 2015
Please provide appropriately redacted copies of the above
The number of cease and desist notices sent/issued to residential addresses with regards to cessation of photographic shoots on/within domestic premises
How many complaints has the planning department received in the last three (3 years since January 2015 with regards to domestic premises being used for photographic shoots
Code of conduct
Please confirm whether your planning department has a code of conduct, internal or otherwise dealing with the public, or undertaking visits. This code of conduct could be within the main guidance from the local authority or specific to the planning department. Where possible, please provide said copy
Devon County Council is not responsible for housing planning and therefore does not hold the information requested. We believe this information can be obtained from District and Unitary councils in Devon. Please contact them directly using the information on the links provided.