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Further to my earlier email on this, I have checked with Malcolm Lowe at DETR
who confirms that he is not aware of any provision for the 5 days notice in
the Part IIA primary legislation or statutory guidance.   We have both double
checked the legislation etc.

I also asked him if there might be something else triggering it - here is his
reply:

"You did ask about other potential drivers, suggesting something from the
"better regulation" side.

One possibility is the "Enforcement Concordat" between central and local
government.  This states, inter alia:

"Before formal enforcement action is taken, officers will provide an
opportunity to discuss the circumstances of the case and, if possible,
resolve points of difference, unless immediate action is required (for
example, in the interests of health and safety or environmental protection or
to prevent evidence being destroyed)."

The full text of the concordat can be accessed via the Cabinet Office website
at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/PublicSector/concordat.htm

It is possible that individual authorities are interpreting the provision
quoted above as meaning that they will choose to give 5 days notice before
confirming a draft determination.  But it would certainly be possible to make
a strong argument that the "enforcement" happens when a remediation notice is
served - and Part IIA already gives a three months notice period for that.
You will recollect that Parliament specifically rejected a proposal for
formal consultation on determinations when it was debating Part IIA."

Hope this is helpful.  I'd appreciate any other feedback on where this is
coming from.

JMLowe