Each planning enforcement case will be given a priority.
Serious breaches – require immediate investigation and complainant is informed of progress within 5 working days
We prioritise cases as 'serious' if they concern:
- works to listed buildings
- works to protected trees – those covered by a tree preservation order (TPO) or within a conservation area
- works to safeguarded hedgerows
- demolition of important unlisted buildings in conservation areas
- development that could have a serious and lasting effect on the environment – for example, unauthorised mineral extraction or tipping of waste near protected sites
- development that causes concern for public safety
- significant unauthorised building works or structures
Urgent complaints – investigation begins and complainant is informed of progress within 10 working days
We prioritise cases as 'urgent' if they concern:
- operational and building works that significantly affect residential amenity
- changes of use that significantly affect residential amenity
- minerals and waste issues that significantly affect residential amenity
- non-compliance with conditions or obligations that significantly affect residential amenity
- operational development within conservation areas
We also prioritise cases as 'urgent' if the opportunity to take enforcement action will end shortly due to immunity.
Non-urgent complaints – investigation begins and complainant is informed of progress within 20 working days
We prioritise cases as 'non-urgent' if they concern:
- other changes of use
- other building works, condition of land or compliance with conditions
- untidy sites
- advertisements
- satellite dishes – conservation areas to be prioritised
No specific priority – investigation is undertaken as needed
Even if no complaint has been received, we will check planning conditions that have not been discharged.