Planning enforcement

Planning legislation sets out which types of development require planning permission. If anyone carries out development without planning permission, then enforcement action can potentially be taken against them.  The legislation also allows the authority to take action if the condition of land affects the amenity of the local area.

Enforcement action can be taken in response to:

• Unauthorised building works
• Unauthorised changes of use
• Unauthorised advertisements
• Non-compliance with conditions on an existing planning permission, or
• Untidy land

Making a complaint

If you suspect that someone has undertaken development without the benefit of planning permission, or is carrying out works contrary to their approved plans, then you can either telephone us or write to us. 

When making a complaint, you will be asked to give your full contact details and to describe in detail the nature of the problem. All complaints received are dealt with in strictest confidence. At no point will your details be made known to anyone other than those professional officers dealing with the case. 
We will send you an initial response within 15 working days of receiving the complaint.  We will keep you aware of the progress of our investigations and, where applicable, any subsequent enforcement action.

We will consider whether there is a breach of control and, if there has been, whether the breach of control is unacceptable and harmful to public amenity or interests. We would then decide whether the matter could be satisfactorily resolved through negotiation or whether there is a need to take enforcement action in the public interest. 

Enforcement notices

An enforcement notice sets out what the breach of planning control is, the reasons for taking enforcement action, the steps required to remedy the breach of planning control and the period of time for compliance with the notice.

Once served, there is a period of 4-6 weeks before the notice takes effect and during this time anyone who has been served with a copy of the notice has the right of appeal to the Secretary of State.
Failure to comply with an enforcement notice can result in prosecution at court and potentially a fine of up to £20,000.