Planning enforcement plays an important part in monitoring development and investigation of potential breaches of planning control. The type of work that people do without permission is often the sort of work which damages the character and amenity of an area, and would not be allowed if they did apply.
What we can investigate
The team investigate alleged breaches of planning control, the most common cases include:
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Unauthorised building development
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Unauthorised changes of use
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Non compliance with plans or conditions
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Protection of listed buildings and conservation areas
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Unlawful advertisements
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Untidy sites
We don't investigate
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Matters relating solely to the emission of noise and smells
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Matters relating solely to methods of building construction
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Matters relating to private rights of access, neighbour and boundary disputes
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Matters relating to the restrictions imposed on property by a convenant.
Is planning permission always needed?
This depends on what work is proposed. There are many smaller jobs that can be done without planning permission, known as “permitted development”. To check whether work may need planning permission, visit the planning portal interactive guides
Remember, it is cheaper to check before carrying out work as putting things right can be very expensive.