Report the breaking of planning rules (breach of planning control)

If you believe a breach of planning control has taken place, you can use this form to report it to Planning Enforcement for investigation.

Report a planning breach 

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What is considered a breach of planning control?

A breach of planning control may involve:

  • building works affecting the external appearance of a building
  • internal and external works to a listed building
  • material changes of use
  • non-compliance with conditions attached to a planning permission
  • the erection of advertisements
  • the felling of protected trees.

What is not a breach of planning control?

Certain works or changes of use may not require planning permission. Where permission is not required from the local planning authority, or where planning legislation permits the works, the council will not be able to take enforcement action.

Planning Enforcement does not investigate:

  • neighbour disputes
  • land boundaries or ownership disputes
  • works to party walls
  • smells, noise and pollution
  • fly-tipping
  • use or development on highways or pavements
  • dangerous structures.


Your privacy and personal information

When you report a breach, we will record:

  • your name and contact information
  • the address of the site
  • details of the possible breach

How we use your data

We record this information in our planning case management system.

We will treat your personal information confidentially. We will not share your details with the person or organisation you are reporting, or any other third party, unless we are legally required to do so.

For more information on your rights, read our privacy notice

What happens next

If we decide that planning rules have been broken, our Planning Enforcement team will investigate.

For more details on how we work, read our planning enforcement guide.