Planning laws are designed to control the development and use of land and buildings in the public interest. Carrying out work or changing the use of land and buildings without planning permission could lead to inappropriate development that could cause harm in various ways. For example, it could adversely affect visual amenity, compromise highway safety or cause irreversible damage to the historic or natural environment.
The Planning Enforcement service is concerned with resolving serious breaches of planning control, not with neighbour disputes or minor residential developments that have little or no adverse impact on the public. There has to be significant harm to public amenity, safety or the environment generally.
The council will take action in such cases by:
§ visiting the site to establish if a breach of planning control has occurred
§ deciding whether the breach of control unacceptably affects the quality of life
§ in line with government and council policy, decide on what is the best course of
action to remedy the breach
§ explain to both the developer and the complainant what action is required
§ monitor the site to ensure the breach is resolved within a reasonable time
As the council’s resources are limited and some breaches are more harmful than others, we will allocate a priority level to each case so that those with the greatest impact receive the most urgent attention. The nature of the action taken will reflect the severity of the situation.
If you would like to know more about Planning Enforcement, please refer to our Enforcement Statement and leaflet (below) that may assist you with your complaint.
If you wish us to investigate any alleged breach of planning control you can contact us in the following ways:
Contact us via the online form
Telephone us on 01256 844844
Complete the form below and return to the address provided
