Planning enforcement

Developers on site at a building site
Enhancing our district

It is vital that we have effective controls in place to deal with unauthorised development to help preserve and enhance qualities of our district.

Because of this, we take planning enforcement very seriously and consider each case on its own facts and merits.

We respond to reports of breaches in relation to building works or changes of use, advertisements, non-compliance with conditions imposed on planning approvals, the felling of protected trees and the removal of hedgerows, works to listed buildings and demolition in conservation areas.

Enforcement action must be taken within four years in relation to the erection of buildings, and within 10 years in relation to changes of use and breaches of planning conditions. There is no time limit for the enforcement of breaches of listed building legislation.

To find out more about our approach, view our planning enforcement plan.