Planning Enforcement Enquiry
Making an Enforcement Enquiry
You can make an enforcement enquiry whenever you suspect there is a breach of planning control or if a building or land has become poorly maintained.
Breaches of Planning Control
A breach of planning control occurs when a person starts work on a building or undertakes a new use without obtaining the necessary planning permission (some minor works and changes of use do not require planning permission). The law does permit a person to submit an application after work has been carried out, so as to seek to regularise acceptable development.
Poorly Maintained Buildings or Land
The Council can act on any poorly maintained building or land if it is judged to adversely affect neighbouring buildings or land. The Council may serve a notice on the owner of the building or land requiring the situation be rectified within given time constraints. The Council will assess any poorly maintained buildings or land drawn to our attention.
How to make an enquiry
Before you make an Enforcement Enquiry please ensure you have read the guidance notes in the attachment at the bottom of the page. This explains what the Council can and cannot consider, it also explains the process your enquiry will follow.
Alternatively you can download the enforcement enquiry form from the bottom of this webpage and submit it by email or post.
Planning Matters
The Local Planning Authority can only take into account matters relevant to land use planning and it cannot be used to protect a private or commercial interest against another, examples of this are:
- Boundary Disputes
- Internal alterations to houses (unless a listed building)
- External security lights fixed to houses
For high hedge disputes please visit the Environmental Health pages.
Your Name and Address
When making an enquiry you need to be prepared to provide your name and contact details or we will be unable to investigate your enquiry. We will treat your details as confidential and will not voluntarily disclose them.
Downloads
Enforcement Enquiry Form (EE1) for planning enforcement enquiries. (375 KB)
Important information on how to make an enforcement enquiry. (58.5 KB)
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