The enforcement of building control

Fair and effective enforcement is essential to improve and protect the health, safety, and quality of life of the people who live, visit, or work in South Tyneside.

Often a decision about enforcement action has implications for many people, either directly or indirectly, and the enforcement of planning and building control is no exception.

Sometimes development is carried out without the necessary permissions. On other occasions work is not done properly after the Council has approved plans, and in other cases, required works are not appropriately actioned.

All are breaches of relevant controls and can have an adverse affect upon peoples' lives. Residents and businesses have the statutory right to expect that harmful activities be dealt with fairly, equitably, and effectively.

In all cases we will attempt to resolve a situation without recourse to formal action, but we will use such powers where all other attempts have been exhausted.

For more detailed guidance, please see the Planning and Building Control enforcement policy.