Keeping to the rules

The team behind planning enforcement

Ever wondered who makes sure planning rules are followed across the district? 

That's the job of our Planning Enforcement Team, led by Fenella and Adrian, your local Planning Enforcement Officers.

Each month, they investigate around sixty new reports of suspected breaches. 

These range from unauthorised building works, to changes in land or building use. Some cases are straightforward; others take time to untangle. 

Not every report turns out to be a breach; in fact, only about half actually involve a breach, and even then, it's not a criminal offence. Most of the time, these things can be sorted out through negotiation, just as the government recommends.

That said, the council doesn't turn a blind eye to deliberate breaches. If someone's knowingly ignoring the rules, we will take formal action. However, we often help people regularise things through planning applications or tweaks to their plans.

Fenella says:

"The best part of my job is helping people understand the planning system - whether they've made changes without permission or are affected by those changes. 
We rely on residents to report issues, as we can't be everywhere!"

How to report a breach

Use our online form to report suspected breaches. This ensures your concern is logged correctly and investigated. We prioritise cases based on impact, so thank you for your patience while we work through them.

What we don't investigate

• land ownership or boundary disputes
• party wall issues (covered by the Party Wall Act 1996)
• dangerous structures (handled by Building Control)
• noise, smells, or nuisance (managed by Environmental Health)

Thinking of building? Top tips

• check if you need planning permission, even for small changes using the council's online checking tool
• extensions, outbuildings, or changes of use might need approval
• unauthorised works can lead to enforcement, delays and extra costs
• not sure? Just ask! It's easier (and cheaper!) to get it right first time

Stay updated on local planning applications

Want to keep track of planning applications in your area? Register through our public access system. Visit our planning webpages, click 'Find and comment on a planning application', and follow the links to sign up.

Once registered, you'll receive automatic updates and can submit your comments directly.