Orkney Islands Council (OIC) has issued a reminder to both applicants and developers that they must comply with planning rules.

This includes adhering to plans and drawings attached to planning permission that is approved by the council. In addition, if planning permission is given for a project, the local authority also need to be notified of the date on which work will commence. This has to be carried out before any work can take place.

The warning from OIC follows a "number of instances" over the last year where the rules have not been upheld.

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In a statement, Rob Crichton, Chair of the Planning Committee, said: "This reminder is issued following a number of instances in the last 12 months where applications have been presented to the Committee where developments have clearly not progressed in accordance with the approved plans.

"This apparent disregard to the terms attached to the planning decision is a major concern for the Committee.

"In a worst case scenario failure to implement the permission in accordance with the approved plans could result in enforcement action having to be taken by the Council."

Roddy Mackay, Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, added that if a developer wishes to carry out works that are different from the approved plans, they should contact OIC Planning and Building Standards staff.

"This will allow us to assess whether a further planning application or amendment to Building Warrant is required. In some instances we can accept minor variations without the need for fresh applications," he explained.

(JP/IT)