Doncaster Council has revealed 160 properties in the past year have been issued with a Section 215 Notice asking owners or occupiers of untidy properties or land to clean up or pay for the work to be done.

The figure was revealed in a report which stated the council aimed to target the worst cases in the borough.

But a council spokesman claimed data protection regulations prevent the authority from issuing specific information about areas or properties where enforcement action has been taken.

Many of the cases which the council has taken action over in the last three years have followed tip-offs from the public. Others have taken place after pro-active investigations.

Although the council says the majority of cases have been dealt with by negotiation, as a last resort it has ordered work to be carried out under Section 25 of the Planning Act or gone into the property to do it themselves.

In 2007-2008, the council took direct action by doing work at four or five homes and charging the cost to the householder.

The Section 215 legislation was introduced in the 1990s but was not implemented by many councils until 2005 when Hastings in East Sussex hit the headlines for overhauling its scruffy image when it began fining residents who refused to clean up.

Peter Dale, Doncaster Council director of development, said: "We are proud that the council is a nationally recognised leader in this kind of work.

"Section 215 sends out a strong message that environmental degradation in our communities will not be tolerated.

"However, enforcement action is always a final option and our planning investigation officers work closely with residents offering support and negotiation to ensure most cases are resolved before any action is taken."

To report a case, call the council's Section 215 investigation team on 01302 734870 or write to Doncaster Council, Planning Investigation Team, 2nd Floor, Danum House, Doncaster, DN1 1UB.

More Doncaster news