What can we investigate?
You can find an overview of the legislation that shows what planning matters we can investigate on the GOV.UK website.
Breaches of planning control can take a number of forms including some forms of development and unauthorised changes of use of land or buildings, work being carried out without the benefit of planning permission and breaches of conditions attached to planning permissions. This can include:
- Extensions to homes and commercial buildings
- Unauthorised building works or changes of use
- Unauthorised works to a Listed Building
- Unauthorised advertisements
- Unauthorised demolition of an unlisted building in a Conservation Areas
- Unauthorised works to trees in Conservation Areas
- High Hedges
- Unauthorised works to trees preserved by a TPO
It should be noted that individuals may be able to make minor changes and extensions to their home under "permitted development rights" or for some businesses to change their use without needing to apply for planning permission.
These rights are granted by the Government under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (As Amended), and in such instances planning enforcement action cannot be taken.