Planning Controls have been developed to protect the environment and to ensure that the use of land and buildings are in the public interest.

Some of the activities controlled by planning legislation are building works such as new buildings, extensions, fences and walls, works to Listed buildings and the display of advertisements. It also includes changes of use, a shop into a restaurant or hot food take-away for example. In the vast majority of cases planning permission is required before a new use begins or activities are carried out. However some minor works or changes of use do not need permission but these should be clarified beforehand to avoid any confusion.

If follows that as there are planning controls, there also needs to be a way to respond when the controls are broken or ignored. This is where Planning Enforcement comes in.

It is important, however, to realise that enforcement action is taken at the discretion of The Council. This page seeks to explain what happens and why sometimes no action is taken.

Should you wish to inform the Council of an alleged breach of planning control you may do so online by using the “Planning Enforcement Complaint form” in the Related Information panel.

The enforcement notices entered on the Enforcement Notice Register since 2001 may be viewed by using the Enforcement Register Link in the related information panel (Currently unavailable due to maintenance).