Planning enforcement and breaches

If you are concerned about a possible breach of planning control, you can report it to us and we will investigate.

While some development projects require planning permission and consent, some common or small projects are allowed under permitted development rights.

What we investigate

Most investigations are about:

• a development without planning permission
• a development not built to agreed permission or in breach of planning conditions
• an unauthorised change of use
• unauthorised work on a listed building
• untidy land and poorly maintained buildings
• signs or advertisements displayed without permission

We do not investigate issues relating to:

• parking disputes, boundary disputes and the party wall act
• noise or pollution – report noise and pollution
• property which appears to be unsafe – report a dangerous building

Check and report a planning breach

If you think there has been a breach of planning rules, you can use our online reporting form to check if your concern counts as a valid breach. You do not need to provide personal details until you decide to report the issue.

If your concern covers several different breaches, for example unauthorised change of use and untidy land, you will need to report them separately.

Alternatively you can email planningenforcement@southglos.gov.uk to report your concern.

Make sure you include your name, phone number, email address, postal address, and the location of the development. You can also attach photographs and other evidence to the email.

Confidentiality

All information supplied when you report a planning breach will remain confidential. We will not visit your home when investigating unless you ask us to.

Find out how we collect, use, and share your data in our privacy notice for planning policy and enforcement.

How we investigate your report

After you report the concern, the following will happen:

1. Your report will be logged with our planning enforcement team within 3 working days.
2. A planning enforcement investigator will visit the site to gather evidence within 10 working days.
3. After the initial investigation, we will give you a written response advising what action (if any) will be taken.
4. Investigations that require further action will be given to a planning enforcement officer who will keep you informed of progress.

For more detailed information about what to expect from an investigation, read our planning enforcement customer charter.

Outcome of investigations

We are legally required to decide if formal enforcement action is necessary.

Many breaches of planning rules are minor and we attempt to negotiate solutions to bring the development in line with local planning rules.

If the development or changes are acceptable in planning terms (or acceptable with conditions, modifications or alterations), we will request a retrospective application for planning permission.

When a planning breach is causing unacceptable harm, we will take the necessary and proportionate action.

Enforcement register

Our enforcement register contains a list of properties that have been served an enforcement notice, a stop notice or a breach of condition notice.

You can email us on planningenforcement@southglos.gov.uk to request a copy or to arrange an appointment to view these records at our offices.

Further information about planning

More information, advice, and guidance can be found on the national planning portal.