Planning Enforcement
How we investigate unauthorised changes to land and buildings.
Due to the high volume of active enforcement investigations, cases may take more time to progress. If you have submitted a case, we will review it, but investigations on low priority cases may be delayed. We prioritise cases according to our Planning Local Enforcement Plan.
Our planning enforcement officers receive hundreds of inquiries from residents every year. Planning rules can be complex and technical. In this video we explain where we can help, and when we can’t.
When we can and cannot take enforcement action
Most investigations carried out by our Enforcement team fall into these main groups:
- buildings and extensions which are built without planning permission, or work which deviates from the planning permission
- work carried out to listed buildings without consent
- poorly maintained listed buildings
- advertisements that do not have consent
- untidy land and poorly maintained buildings
- change of use
Our Guide to Planning Enforcement video explains more about each of these,
We are not able to investigate matters which are:
- from an anonymous source
- solely of a civil nature (like parking disputes, boundary disputes and issues concerning the Party Wall Act)
- purely related to noise or other environmental disturbance (please refer to our Environmental Health Team)
- property which appears to be unsafe (please refer to our Building Control Team)
The information in the links below may help you understand the planning process, including if a development requires planning permission.
- When you need planning permission
- Government gateway to planning information throughout the UK
- Free independent planning advice to those who cannot afford to pay
Watch our videos on how we enforce planning law
Planning law and how it’s enforced can be complex and feel difficult to understand.
We have created some short videos of answers to questions we regularly get asked.
If you're worried about building work
Watch our video about what you should do if you're worried about building work.
What you should do if your building plans change
Watch our video about what you should do if you've applied for planning permission but your plans have changed.
If an owner applies for planning permission after their property has been deemed as unacceptable
Watch our video about what we do if the owner of a property which has been deemed to be unacceptable applies for planning permission for development or for an alternative scheme.
Short term lets
Watch our video about how we work to stop properties being used as a short term holiday let.
Reporting a breach or complaint
Request a planning enforcement investigation
Watch our video about how you can ask for an investigation into a planning breach.
Complaints process
Watch our video about our complaints process and how we keep you updated.
Enforcement action
Watch our video about what we do after a complaint is made and how we decide when to take enforcement action.
When we won't take action
Watch our video about how we decide when a breach doesn't need further action.
Landowners who won't work with us
Watch our video about what we do when a landowner refuses to engage with us about a complaint.
Action taken on people who breach planning rules
We often get asked what we do to punish people who breach planning rules. Watch our video about what we do if planning rules are broken.
Appeal an enforcement notice
Watch our video about how you can appeal an enforcement notice and what happens when you appeal.
The investigations and enforcement team
Where a breach of planning control is proven to be causing harm, the Team will seek to resolve the breach through negotiation if possible. However, in certain circumstances the breach may require legal notices to be issued or the instigation of prosecution proceedings.
A small number of cases involve investigations into criminal offences. These investigations will be dealt with differently to breaches of planning control, as they involve different legislation. You will be advised if this applies to your case.
How to request an investigation
Requests are only accepted in writing through the Planning Enforcement Investigation Form.
If you are a resident who cannot access the internet to complete the form, or you are acting on behalf of one, you can phone 01273 292 222 from 9:30am to 1:30pm daily (excluding weekends and bank holidays).
If the request relates to an urgent matter, such as where the fabric of a listed building is at risk, phone 01273 292 222 from 9:30am to 1:30pm daily (excluding weekends and bank holidays).
If you do not want to request an investigation, but have a planning enforcement enquiry you can send an email to planning.applications@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Most people requesting an investigation provide photographs and other evidence to assist the investigation. This can result in a quicker resolution.
If you are concerned about an unauthorised use you will be asked to complete a diary of events.
We do not give out details of requests, all information will remain confidential. All information supplied in relation to a request for investigation will remain confidential.
Planning local enforcement plan
Read our Planning local enforcement plan for more information on how we identify and deal with planning breaches.
Enforcement register
Details of all the formal enforcement notices issued in Brighton & Hove are published in our Enforcement Register.
The Enforcement Register is in date order. Use search to find a particular address in the document.