A "CAVALIER" approach by developers to planning conditions is being fiercely targeted in a major new offensive by York council officers.

Several contractors have continued to carry out noisy building work before and after agreed hours - despite repeated warnings

The owners of several sites have also carried out changes of use and minor building work on green belt land, without planning permission.

City of York Council has hired a new enforcement officer to stamp out the abuses, following dozens of complaints from residents across the city.

Action has been taken, or is set to be taken, at ten sites across York because of alleged breaches of planning conditions. Several enforcement notices and breach of conditions notices have been served already, with more to follow next week. They can lead to hefty fines or even prison if abuses continue.

"We intend to have a major impact on this cavalier culture," said Fiona Derbyshire, the council's development control officer. "Developers don't believe it yet, but we will get our message across.

"We've now got the right amount of staff to make an impact. It will be a big learning curve for developers because we now have the resources and energy to pursue them."

Housebuilder Barratt will be served with a breach of conditions notice over its luxury housing development in Bull Lane, off Lawrence Street, after residents said building work was making their lives a misery.

Roy McGregor and Dennis Pearson, who run a guest house, Bull Lodge, in Bull Lane, have complained to the council more than 20 times about it.

They claim work has started as early as 6.30am and finished as late as 9.30pm, which has disturbed guests.

A spokesman for Barratt said: "We are aware that a sub-contractor started work outside the agreed hours and we apologise for any inconvenience which may have been caused."

Persimmon Homes will also be served with a breach of conditions notice, following repeated warnings over working out of agreed hours at a 252-house development, off Hull Road.

A spokesman for the York-based company said it had not yet received a warning from the council about any breach of conditions, and was therefore in no position to comment at this time.

Updated: 12:10 Friday, December 06, 2002