Enforcing planning rules

We can take action to deal with cases of development that have been carried out without permitted development rights or planning permission; unauthorised adverts; tree protection issues; and non-compliance with conditions attached to planning approvals.

Make a complaint

If you are concerned about a development near you which you believe does not have planning permission, you can tell us about it by submitting a planning enforcement complaint.

We investigate complaints inline with our Local Enforcement Plan.  

While we will be happy to discuss your query over the telephone please be aware that we do require all complaints to be submitted in writing in order for us to investigate them.

Please note that we do not accept anonymous complaints. All reports must be accompanied by details of the person making the report. When reporting a planning enforcement matter to us, we will need the following information:

  • Your name, address and telephone number and/or email address
  • The address or location in question
  • A full description of the problem (please provide as much detail as possible)

We will keep your details confidential and they will not be disclosed to any third party without your permission. Alternatively, you can report the matter to your borough Councillor, or parish/town council.

Taking action

There are a range of actions available to use, however these will only be considered if development has occurred without the appropriate permission or consent and the breach has or will result in significant harm.
 
In all cases, we have to investigate all the planning circumstances. Where we are satisfied there has been a breach of planning control we have the following options:
  • Take no action
  • Ask for a retrospective application for planning permission
  • Attempt to negotiate a solution
  • Issue an Enforcement Notice directing what must be done and by when
  • Prosecute the offender(s) in the Magistrates’ Court (in some cases)

Untidy land and neglected buildings

Untidy and poorly maintained gardens and buildings may have a negative impact on neighbourhoods and the appearance of an area. The council have legal powers available to control the tidiness/appearance of land and buildings, but we would first attempt to reach a resolution with the landowner. If a resolution cannot be achieved we may take enforcement action through an Untidy Site Notice (Section 215 notice). The Untidy Site Notice requires proper maintenance of the property or land in question and would specify what steps need to be taken, by whom, and by when.

An appeal may be lodged against the Untidy Site Notice to the Magistrates’ court, but you will still have to follow the steps specified in the mean time as non-compliance with the Notice is a criminal offence.

You can report untidy land or neglected buildings here.

Enforcement notices

An enforcement notice is a legal document that can be served on people who have built something without the required permissions. We can serve an enforcement notice on you if we consider you have broken planning rules. Normally this will be because we consider what you are doing, or have done, is harmful to your neighbourhood.

To view a list of the issued notices, please download the Council’s Planning Enforcement register of notices issued. Should you wish to see a copy of any specific notice listed on the register, please contact planningenforcement@harborough.gov.uk quoting the relevant reference number.

Search our enforcement database and notices

A notice could:

  • Stop or prevent an activity
  • Request the removal of an unauthorised building or extension
  • Ask for a development to be changed to make it more acceptable

Read our Local Enforcement Plan explaining the planning enforcement process and the actions we can take.

Appeals

Anyone receiving an enforcement notice can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Read guidance about making an appeal against an enforcement notice.