In a submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government, the CIOB backed proposals to allow councils to halt illegal or potentially harmful construction activity through stop notices.

Stop notices will allow councils to halt construction activity, until steps are taken to remove or reduce the risk of harm. Unlike informal written and oral warnings used under the current system, they cannot be ignored.

Kevin Dawson, chairman of The CIOB's Building Control and Standards Faculty, said: "This is an important step forward in preventing sub-standard work from being covered up, which can be costly, or even impossible, to rectify at a later date.

"There is a strong argument that the enforcement role of Local Authorities has been neglected in the past and should take much greater prominence from now on. This would have significant consumer protection, health and safety and compliance benefits." 

The comments were made as part of government consultation 'The Future of Building Control' which ends today.