Planning enforcement

Report your concerns about possible unauthorised development. This could be about building works and/or how land or buildings are used. It could also be about works to listed buildings, protected trees or the erection of adverts.

How to report

If you wish to bring anything to the attention of the Planning Enforcement Team, please use our report form:

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Please note: We will only accept complaints in writing. The preferred option is for complainants to use the form. However, we will accept a letter or email, which must include the complainants full postal address.

We investigate concerns that are reported to us.

If we find an issue we may not be able to stop or reverse the situation straight away. We usually try and negotiate a solution. This lets the people responsible have a chance to sort the issue.

In addition, please be aware that if you are complaining about an unauthorised use of property, you must supply records / documentation / information in support of your claims. Without such information, we will be unable to process the complaint.

This may mean we:

• suggest they make a retrospective application. If approved it could authorise the works. If refused they can appeal the decision
• or take formal action and serve notices to remove/stop works or cease any use. The people responsible can appeal against the formal action. If there is an appeal, we will usually wait for a decision to be issued and then take further action as it is needed

Find out more about planning enforcement, or read our planning enforcement plan.