Report a planning breach

If you do not get the required planning permission or consent for a development, then you are in breach of planning control.

Breaches of planning control are generally not criminal offences. However, it is a criminal offense to display unauthorised advertisements or work on a listed building or protected trees without permission.

Report a planning breach
 

What constitutes a planning breach?

Planning breaches can include: 

• Development (building/engineering works or change of use of property/land) without planning permission.
• Not keeping to the planning permission. Either for an approved plan or the failure to follow conditions.
• Carrying out of works to a listed building without consent. This includes the installation of UPVC windows.
• Felling or working on a tree which is under a Tree Preservation Order, or which is within a conservation area.
• Demolition of a building within a conservation area.
• Using a mobile home as a residence.
• Unauthorised advertisements.
• Fencing.
• Action can also be taken regarding the untidy condition of land.

The following are not considered planning breaches:

• On-street parking of commercial vehicles in residential area.
• Operating a business from home. This means the property is primary used as a residential property there is no adverse impact on amenity.
• Parking a mobile home within the grounds of your home, provided that it is used for storage or an extra bedroom.
• Clearing land of undergrowth, bushes and trees, as long as they are not under a Tree Preservation Order or in a conservation area.

What happens when I report a planning breach?

When you make an enforcement complaint, you must provide:

• your name;
• postal address, and;
• contact telephone number.

When you report a breach of planning control, details of your complaint may become public. However, your name and address will not be revealed to the person or organisation involved in the alleged breach.

We will try to acknowledge your complaint within five working days of receiving it. We will advise you of the complaint reference number and the enforcement case officer.