Planning Applications - Enforcement

We investigate alleged breaches of planning control and proactively monitor a small proportion of approved new developments to ensure compliance with approved plans and conditions.

What if I have not got permission?

If you have started or completed a development without permission we may invite you to apply retrospectively, or if the development involves a breach of planning control, such as an unauthorised development or a failure to comply with planning conditions, we have the option to take enforcement action.

It is the Council's decision whether to take action and what sort of action to take - enforcement action may take the form of enforcement notices, stop notices, Breach of Condition Notices, or County or High Court injunctions.

If land or buildings have been in use for a certain period of time without planning permission then a certificate of lawfulness may be applied for, meaning the land or building becomes immune from enforcement action.

The Council's Enforcement Policy establishes the circumstances in which the Council might take enforcement action and the type of action it may consider.  Please check our Design and Development Frequently Asked Questions page for further help and guidance.

How to contact us.

Anonymous enforcement complaints will not normally be accepted or investigated and telephone callers are asked to submit their complaint in writing, however complaints can be made by e-mail if a name and address is provided (all complaints are treated in confidence).

If you would like to contact us regarding an enforcement issue (such as whether some development work you have seen has planning permission) please use the contact our Enforcement Team:

We will acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days if the complaint is sent by post.  We will acknowledge complaints sent by e-mail or by using the contact form within one working day.