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Planning enforcement

We respond to complaints about alleged breaches of planning control and we check that development is carried out in accordance with the correct planning permission.

 

Making a complaint

If you report an alleged breach of planning control we will acknowledge it and deal with it according to our priority list.  You will be updated on progress.

 

What kind of complaints can we deal with?

Householder developments, housing and commercial developments,  including changes of use, advertisements, untidy land, houses in multiple occupation, listed buildings, conservation areas and trees.
 
If a development has planning permission, ensuring that it is carried out in accordance with the plans/ details approved.
 

Guidance notes

You may like to see our guidelines on walls and fences, outbuildings, business use from home or extensions.

 
Government guidance states that 'enforcement action should always be commensurate with the breach of planning control to which it relates' (paragraph 5 of Planning Policy Guidance Note 18: Enforcing Planning Control).
 
 

What action will be taken?

We will assess the likely impact of any breach of the planning regulations on public amenity and the environment before deciding on the course of action to take.
 
When we have investigated the complaint, we may take the following courses of action: 
 

If works do not need planning permission - no further action

 

If works need planning permission but no application was made: 

 

  • Seek a retrospective planning application. This must be considered in the same way as if the works had not been carried out. If planning permission is then refused, formal action may be taken to remedy the situation

 

  • Take formal action, for example issue a legal notice that must be complied with.
Last Updated on 8/10/2012