Enforcement -Doing Work Without Permission

7.The investigation process

25 November 2025

13:37

When we receive your complaint, we will:

• 1. Register and assign priority status to the complaint and allocate it to an Enforcement Officer. Written acknowledgement including the case reference number will follow on the same day for highest priority complaints, and within 5 working days for all other cases.

In view of the significant numbers of complaints that are received each year (circa 300), and to ensure efficient use of Council resources, each complaint received will be priority assessed before logging. This approach ensures that those breaches of planning control that are causing the greatest public harm are acted upon as quickly as possible. There are three enforcement priorities and associated timescales as set out on pages 6-11 of the enforcement plan: LINK ?

If your complaint is not something we can deal with you will be informed of this following the Initial Site Assessment (2, 15 or 30 working days depending on the priority)

• 2. Assess whether a breach has occurred, which typically involves:

• • Review allegation made
  • Further information gathering - including Council departments if required
  • Assess whether allegation is a planning matter
  • Checking the planning history
  • Checking permitted development rights
  • Assess whether there has been a breach of planning
  • Contacting the landowner
  • Visiting the site if necessary
  • Discussing how any identified breach might be resolved

• 3. Significant developments in a case may include:

• The submission of a retrospective planning application

• The determination of a retrospective planning application

• Formal Notice served

• Case closed

• 4. How can I keep track on progress on my complaint?

Following the initial site assessment, should investigations continue and the case remains open, the best method of receiving an update on progress is to contact the Enforcement Team: [email protected]