Planning enforcement

Planning Enforcement is a discretionary service which considers complaints regarding unauthorised development in the Borough.

At present, the Planning Enforcement team has a large volume of cases. Owing to budgetary constraints, we are unable to process these within the timeframes set out in the Planning Enforcement Policy. We have therefore removed this document from the website to allow its review.

In the meantime, we will first deal with priority cases, where there is potential harm to human health (arising through dangerous structures), development that detrimentally affects land stability, protected trees, protected wildlife,  irreversible and substantial damage to listed buildings and flooding arising from developments.

When submitting an enforcement complaint you must provide the following information otherwise no investigate will commence

• Your name and address
• The address of the site you are referring to
• What are the nature of the works you are concerned about
• What harm the works are causing
• When you first noticed the works
• Who you think is responsible for the works
• Photographic evidence to assist us with our investigations

The following matters will not be investigated

• Anonymous complaints
• Works that do not fall within the definition of development / no breach of planning control has occurred

Enforcement action will not be taken where

• The works are a trivial or technical breach of control which causes no material harm or adverse impact on the amenity of the site or the surrounding area
• The development is acceptable on its planning merits and formal enforcement action would solely be to regularise the development
• The works are permitted development; Find out more here
• Where the complaint is vexatious. Please wee out Unreasonable and Persistent Complaints Policy

The following links provide further information about what unauthorised development is, and how it can be dealt with