What is a breach of planning control?

If there has been no ‘development’ then there is no breach of planning control and the planning enforcement team cannot take further action.

The following are examples of breaches of planning control:

  • Unauthorised erection of a building
  • Development not in accordance with the approved plans of planning permissions
  • Unauthorised change of use of a property or land
  • Unauthorised works to trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or in a conservation area
  • Carrying out works to a listed building without listed building consent
  • Unauthorised demolition in a conservation area
  • Failure to comply with the conditions attached to a planning permission
  • Failure to properly maintain land so that it adversely affects the amenity of the area
  • Displaying a sign or advertisement without advertisement consent

A breach of planning control is defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as ‘the carrying out of development without the required planning permission, or failing to comply with any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission has been granted’.