Frequently Asked Questions
Planning enforcement
We will be happy to discuss your query over the telephone or you can submit your query online and we will investigate it further. Sometimes we will be able to answer your questions immediately. All complaints must be submitted in writing and all details will be kept confidential. However where an issue is an emergency such as works to a listed Building or Protected tree we will respond as a matter of urgency. Your contact details are important in order that we can keep you up to date with any investigation.
Some works are classed as 'permitted development'
Planning rules are decided by the central Government and are complicated. Not all building works need planning permission. For instance, garages, walls, small extensions, etc., may be exempt. Running a business from home does not always need permission.
If we find that the work does not need planning permission, then the planning service cannot take any action. Other Council services may be able to help. The enforcement officer dealing with your case will refer you to another department if they feel it would assist you. Sometimes, advice from a solicitor or Citizens' Advice Bureau might be of help to you.
We will write to you as soon as possible telling you whether planning permission is needed. If it is not, we will tell you why.
Yes. Again depending on the level of storage taking place there is action available to the Council to control untidy land. Action through the planning process however should be a last resort, there may be other legislation available to tackle issues such as this through Environmental Health or the Enviro Team who have action available under the Building Act or the Anti - Social Behaviour Act. We work together with these teams where our responsibilities cross and so we will discuss the issue with you and advise which Department would be best to assist you in these circumstances.
Flyposting’ these are adverts that normally require consent to be displayed. –Advertisement Consent. The Council can take action to get the posters removed but the law in this respect is complex. If the posters do not identify who is responsible for them the Council may ‘obliterate’ or remove them. Formal action is possible if the information on the persons responsible for the display of the poster is available. The Council’s Enviro-team can issue fixed penalties if they are able to apprehend anyone in the process of displaying posters.
Fly posting is not normally considered an acceptable form of advertising. Illegal advertisers can be prosecuted and this can be dealt with in the Courts when it is considered expedient to do so
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