Abandoned Vehicles

The Environmental Health and Housing Services investigate reports of abandoned vehicles within the North Devon Council Area.

How do I report an abandoned vehicle?

If you wish to report an abandoned vehicle, you can visit the Civic Centre, or telephone Customer Services on 01271 388870, e-mail customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk, use our online form or write to the address below:

North Devon Council
Civic Centre
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EA

The enquiry should include the following information

How is the service carried out?

Once the information has been gathered, our Monitoring Officer will visit the location and inspect the vehicle to ensure the details are correct. The vehicle registration will be sent to the DVLA in Swansea in order to ascertain the identity of the registered keeper. When the information is received a letter will be sent to the registered keeper, which allows the owner seven days to remove the vehicle. Should the vehicle remain in the reported location after the seven day period, the monitoring officer will issue a 24 hour notice. This notice will be attached to the vehicle and gives the owner a final 24 hours before removal by the Council.

24 Hour Notice

Served under The Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, Section 3(1),(5)

Example

'The Council GIVES YOU NOTICE that unless the vehicle is removed within 24 hours from the date of this notice, it will, acting under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 Section 3(1), remove the vehicle and arrange for its [retention until the current excise licence expires and its subsequent] destruction.'

Removal of a vehicle

After the 24 hour notice has expired, the vehicle will be removed by the Council. It will remain at our depot until either expiry of the excise licence or for a period of seven days before the Council then decides on its disposal. After this time has elapsed, the Council may decide to sell or scrap the vehicle. Should the owner wish to collect the vehicle beforehand, the Environmental Health Unit must be contacted in order to arrange the collection details. The owner must produce appropriate documentation as proof of keeper of the vehicle. The vehicle will only be available for collection if this information is presented and payment of the appropriate fee is received.

What fees can be charged?

The following fees are for guidance only - further guidance will be given as appropriate:

Scrapping a vehicle

Vehicles that remain in the depot without a valid excise licence (or on its expiry) will be disposed of as appropriate.

Abandoned Vehicles on Private Land

Where it appears to a local authority that the land on which a motor vehicle is abandoned, is occupied by a person (private land), the local authority can give notice that they propose to remove the vehicle under the appropriate Act. If the owner objects to the proposal within 15 days, the Council is NOT empowered to remove the vehicle.

The Environmental Health Unit will confirm (on enquiry) whether or not it is able to help with the removal of a vehicle on private land.

Police Matters

The police have the authority to remove a vehicle immediately if it is causing an obstruction or danger to other road users. The Council does not have such authority and therefore, any matters of urgency concerning abandoned vehicles should be directed towards the police. General Enquiries 0990 700 400.

Who should I contact if I have any further comments or compliments regarding the level of service provided?

We welcome your comments on how we can improve the way we deliver our services. If you have any comments, compliments or feel you need to complain about our service delivery; please write to the Environmental Health Manager at the address below:

Jeremy Mann
Environmental Health Manager
North Devon Council
Civic Centre
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EA

Telephone (01271) 388341
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk

Abandoned Vehicles (pdf 163kb) - our leaflet explaining the policy on abandoned vehicles.