9. Enforcement Actions explained
When we identify a harmful breach, we may take one or more of these actions:
- Negotiation - We'll work with the landowner to resolve the issue voluntarily
- Request a retrospective application - If we think permission might be granted (possibly with changes), we'll invite an application to regularise the situation. This may involve serving an Enforcement Warning Notice which formalises the process for inviting a retrospective planning application and constitutes taking enforcement action for the purposes of the Town and County Planning Act 1990.
- Formal notices - If other approaches fail, we may amongst other things issue:
- Planning Contravention Notice - Requiring information about activities on the land
- Breach of Condition Notice - Requiring compliance with conditions of a planning permission
- Enforcement Notice - Requiring specific steps to remedy the breach
- Stop Notice/Temporary Stop Notice - Requiring activities to cease immediately
If someone appeals against a notice, enforcement action is paused until the appeal is decided. If a notice isn't followed within the specified timeframe, we may take legal action against the landowner/developer.
You can view all current enforcement notices on our Statutory Register of Planning Enforcement Notices.
Planning Enforcement Plan (currently under review)
Our Planning Enforcement Plan outlines our general powers in terms of planning enforcement and provides a framework to ensure that the City Council deals with planning enforcement complaints in a practical and consistent manner.