Reporting a Breach of Planning Control
Report a Breach of Planning Control
The Broads Authority can only investigate breaches of planning control if we are aware of the breach. While we monitor conditions on planning applications and have officers out and about in The Broads, we cannot see everything.
To report a breach you can download the Registration of Complaint Form (pdf document) [234kb], complete it and post or email it back to us; or write or email us directly via our contact form.
In all cases, you will need to give full details of the alleged breach including details of the site, the works or use which have been undertaken and how long the works or use have been carried out. Please give us as much information as possible.
Whichever method you choose to use to contact us, all enquiries or complaints must include your name and an address that we can use to reply to you. Anonymous complaints will not normally be processed. We recommend you contact us if you feel there is any unauthorised development taking place - however obvious you may feel it is - please do not assume we already know.
There are circumstances where there is no breach of planning control as the development may be permitted, under The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. There may be an existing use right or development may be so minor that the local planning authority considers it does not affect the local amenity. However, with effect from 1 October 2008, the Government has made major changes to the Permitted Development allowances. While the changes may increase the extent of the works that can be done without permission, exemptions will still apply in The Broads and other cases. The regulations regarding these rights have become a lot more complex and we recommend that you contact the Broads Authority Planning Department if you are considering any type of development or extension to your home or business. We can then advise you of what can and cannot be done with planning permission being sought. It would be beneficial if all enquires included detailed plans and elevations drawings of the proposed changes to allow the officers to see the exact changes being considered.
It is important to note that not all enforcement cases will necessarily require full enforcement action. It is the Authority's aim initially to achieve compliance through negotiation and voluntary compliance. Indeed, formal action is likely to be used in only a minority of cases, where it is expedient to do so and where voluntary compliance cannot be achieved.
Ideally, all complaints will be addressed quickly. However, in practice it is necessary to prioritise cases for investigation. The priorities reflect the planning policies of the Authority and the relative impact that different types of unauthorised development have on the character and quality of The Broads environment.
The priorities are as follows:
- a breach which would result in damage to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), or any other site of particular ecological value or to the water environment
- a breach which would result in damage to an Ancient Monument, Listed Building, tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order or which would damage the character of a Conservation Area
- a breach which results in unacceptable development in waterside or other sensitive locations, or which is prominent in the landscape or affects navigation
- a breach which causes significant harm to residential amenity or to public enjoyment of The Broads
While it is necessary to prioritise cases, we will investigate all alleged breaches of planning control and respond to the complainant to advise them of the action that we have taken or will be taking.
