Report a planning breach

Maximum timescales from the date we receive your complaint:

Acknowledging your complaint - 5 working days

We will write to you within 5 working days to let you know we have received your complaint and give you the contact details of the Council officer handling it.

Highest priority alleged breaches - 10 working days

We will investigate your complaint and provide you with a written update on the outcome within 10 working days.

Highest priority alleged planning breaches are:

• Breaches that cause, or have the potential to cause, life threatening or other serious harm to human health and safety, protected wildlife species or designated wildlife habitats.
• Felling or pruning works to protected trees.
• Unauthorised removal of hedgerows.
• Demolition works to listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas.
• Removal of original features from the exterior or interior of listed buildings.

Other alleged planning breaches - 30 working days

We will investigate your complaint and provide you with a written update on the outcome within 30 working days.

It may take longer than 30 days to investigate certain complaints (such as change of use). This is because activity must be monitored over a longer period of time. If this is the case, we will let you know in writing when we aim to provide the findings of our investigation.

Further updates - at least every 30 working days

It can sometimes take a considerable amount of time to resolve the breach where significant harm is caused and needs to be remedied.

Whilst it is not possible to provide a precise timescale, the Council officer handling your complaint will provide you with regular written progress updates until the breach is resolved - at least every 30 working days.