What we can and cannot investigate

The Council receives a number of enquiries that relates to matters which cannot be dealt with through the powers of the planning department.

Issues that the Planning Enforcement Team can investigate

• Unauthorised building or engineering works
• Non-compliance with planning permission
• Unauthorised change of use of land or buildings
• Unauthorised works to a listed building
• Unlawful display of advertisements
• Breaches of planning conditions
• Untidy land or buildings which are harming the appearance of the local area
• Demolition within a conservation area
• Unauthorised works to protected trees

See more information relating to different types of planning.

Issues that the Planning Enforcement Team cannot investigate

• Neighbour disputes
• Boundary or land ownership disputes
• Damages to private property or loss of property value
• Breaches of property deeds or covenants
• Dangerous structures or buildings (contact Building Control)
• Matters relating to Party Wall Act
• Health and safety matters not resulting from a breach of planning
• External security lights (unless the building is listed or the lights are associated with unauthorised development)
• Construction site operations and hours of working (unless subject to planning condition from a previous approval)
• Blocking of access or designated rights of way (contact Rights of Way)
• Parking and obstructions on a public highway (contact Highways)
• Noise disturbance or other pollution (contact Environmental Health)
• Internal alterations to dwellings (unless a Listed Building)

Issues relating to neighbour disputes, boundary and land ownership, damages, party wall acts, breaches of property deeds or covenants and blocking of access and rights of way are considered to be private legal matters. Such issues are to be resolved by the private parties involved through civil law. It is not the role of the planning enforcement team, or any other council department to resolve or mediate such matters.