Unauthorised development

Our duty 

The Council has a duty to enforce the planning regulations. However, in carrying out this duty, the Council will seek to ensure that:

  • information on the planning system is widely publicised to avoid problems of non-compliance in the first place
  • advice is freely available from officers on whether planning permission is needed
  • advice is offered to residents and businesses as to how to best comply with regulation if a breach is identified
  • any action taken is proportionate to the breach in question and
  • we treat people fairly and with courtesy.

Details of the Council's standards of service are set out in the Enforcement Charter and the Service and Performance (Best Value) Plan.

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General advice/enquiries

If you wish to informally discuss unauthorised building work, land uses or works which may contravene planning conditions, general advice can be obtained by calling one of our planning enforcement officers on 01483 743438. Please note that officers are often out on site investigating complaints, but if you leave a message for them to call you, you will normally receive a response from an enforcement officer within 48 hours.

The Government produces Planning: A Guide for Householders and Planning Permission: A Guide for Business which provides general advice.

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Formal investigations of breaches of control

If you wish to have a matter investigated formally you must write to the enforcement team.

The Council has a policy of not investigating anonymous complaints; we therefore ask that you provide your contact details (preferably with telephone number) in your letter. You should also provide details of the address of the land to which your complaint relates, along with details of why you suspect that there is a breach of planning control. Your details and the details of the complaint will remain confidential, though should court proceedings be undertaken, the Judge may make them available in court.

If you need to discuss a specific enforcement case which is in progress you will need to contact the relevant enforcement officer.

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Complaints

The Council will endeavour to ensure that all complaints are fully investigated. If you have any queries about the way your complaint has been dealt with you should contact the Borough Planning Officer.