The planning enforcement team has responsibility for investigating complaints principally where unauthorised development has taken place and aims to resolve these using the most appropriate means.
Matters for which the team are responsible include:
- unauthorised building and engineering works
- unauthorised change of use of land or buildings
- non-compliance with conditions attached to planning approvals
- works taking place to Listed Buildings without consent
- removal of, or works carried out, to protected trees and hedgerows without consent being granted or proper notification given
- display of unlawful advertisements
- land or buildings whose condition causes significant harm to the amenity of the local area
The local planning authority has primary responsibility for taking whatever enforcement action may be necessary, proportionate and in the public interest. It should be noted that the taking of such action is a discretionary power and that we are guided by both the government's National Planning Police Framework and our own Planning Enforcement Policy.
The planning enforcement team do not cover:
- neighbour disputes
- land ownership and boundary disputes
- mineral and waste complaints
Further guidance is available from the Department for Communities & Local Government