How to enforce planning rules

Why inforce planning controls
If planning controls are not enforced, then detrimental development can happen which no one has approved and which harms other people's enjoyment of the countryside.

Councils need local people to be their 'eyes and ears' on breaches of planning control. They may not know about problems unless you tell them.

In this section you can read through and learn the steps to take to encourage your council to ensure planning rules are properly enforced.

• Be sure it's a breach
  
  
• Report the problem
  
  
• Record details of the breach
  
  
• Involve the local councillors
  
  
• Follow up in writing with the enforcement officer
  
  
• Submit your case to the local authority and be ready for a planning application
  
  
• Write to your MP and to the Local Government Ombudsman