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Environment 

Planning enforcement

Enforcement  - what we do

Our enforcement officers investigate concerns that development may have been carried out without us granting planning permission.

These investigations mostly involve new building work or changes in the use of land or buildings. The enforcement officers are also involved in the unauthorised display of:

  • advertisements;
  • alterations to listed buildings;
  • demolition of buildings in conservation areas; and
  • any other matters which may involve a breach of planning control

We open most enforcement investigations following concerns reported to us by members of the public, parish councils or local organisations and agencies.

How to report a planning concern

You can reporting a suspected unauthorised development online.

We will not reveal the details you provide on the form to the landowner concerned.

Alternatively, please contact the Planning Appeals & Enforcement team.

How we deal with reports of unauthorised developments

We aim to deal fairly with all concerns about unauthorised development and must establish the facts before considering whether we should take any enforcement action. There are published service standards and published guidance to landowners that become the subject of a planning enforcement investigation.

We are not required to take enforcement action wherever a breach of planning control is confirmed.  We decide whether we should take enforcement action, based on whether the development causes harm in planning terms.

Issuing an enforcement notice is usually seen as a last resort.  Officers are able to resolve many issues through discussion, leading to action which is taken voluntarily by landowners as a response to officer advice.

Our Enforcement Policy

Because the issue of an enforcement notice is a discretionary power granted by the Planning Acts, we have published a policy to act as a guide to the way in which we will undertake what is often a very sensitive area of work.  You can view/download this from the menu on the right.

Some cases do, however, require swift and decisive action.

Further information and guidance on planning enforcement

You can find more information on planning enforcement in the following publications (available for you to view/download from the menu on the top right). 

  • Planning Enforcement - a guide for owners and occupiers
  • Planning Enforcement, how investigations are handled

For more information, please contact the Planning Appeals & Enforcement team.