Planning Enforcement

What is Planning Enforcement?

Whilst it is not a criminal offence to carry out development without first obtaining planning permission, this is a contravention of planning laws and the District Council has powers to enforce those laws. The Council has a Strategy for dealing with potential Enforcement cases.

How is this achieved?

By the serving of:

Enforcement Notices - requiring the contravention to be remedied.
Stop Notices - requiring immediate cessation of the contravention.
Breach of Condition Notices - served when conditions attached to planning permission are being ignored.

What happens next?

Contravenors can appeal against an Enforcement Notice to the Planning Inspectorate. For further details about the appeals process please visit The Planning Inspectorate's website.

If an Enforcement Notice is upheld it must be complied with within a specified period. Non-compliance does then become a criminal offence which may result in the offender being taken to Court.

The maximum fine for non-compliance of a valid Enforcement Notice is £20,000.

Contact us if you think that development is proceeding without the benefit of planning permission or that conditions imposed on a planning permission are being breached.

We will usually visit a complaint site and inform you what, if anything, can be done within 4 weeks of the receipt of your complaint.