Planning enforcement

The Council have an adopted local Enforcement Plan which sets out how we deal with planning enforcement complaints.

Various developments or changes of use do not require planning permission as planning permission is deemed to be automatically granted (usually due to their limited size and impact).  This is known as permitted development. We can advise you on what constitutes permitted development.

Some types of planning control breaches are criminal offences such as carrying out unauthorised works to listed buildings or the display of advertisements without consent, although some advertisements benefit from deemed consent.  Other development carried out without planning permission is not a criminal offence but it may expose the owner of the land to possible enforcement action.

Examples of breaches of planning control

• Carrying out development (construction) without planning permission: for example, constructing an extension which is not permitted development; erecting a fence over two metres (or one metre by a highway); installing security shutters to a shop
• Carrying out development (change of use) without planning permission: for example, conducting a business such as the sale of cars from home; converting an office to a shop; converting a family house to bedsits
• Failing to comply with a planning condition (breach of condition): for example, failing to implement a landscaping scheme; operating a shop outside agreed hours
• Carrying out unauthorised works to a listed building: for example, installing uPVC double glazing without listed building consent