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Planning enforcement

Introduction

Background

The majority of people work within the planning system and seek the necessary planning consents before commencing development. However, the department does receive many complaints about development taking place without planning consent or contrary to a condition of a planning consent. These complaints will be investigated and, where appropriate, enforcement action initiated to resolve the problem.

Two important points

1. It is not an offence to carry out development without planning permission.
   It is an offence:
   
   • not to comply with enforcement type notices
   • to carry out works (other than like for like repairs) to a listed building without listed building consent
   • to carry out works to protected trees without the Council's written consent
   • to display an advertisement without the necessary advertisement consent .
2. Planning enforcement is rarely an instantaneous remedy to unauthorised development. It is limited in use, open to claims for costs and compensation, and can take a long time.

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