How we investigate unauthorised changes to land and buildings.
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.
Most investigations carried out by our Enforcement team fall into these main groups:
Our Guide to Planning Enforcement video explains more about each of these,
We are not able to investigate matters which are:
The information in the links below may help you understand the planning process, including if a development requires planning permission.
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.
Watch our video about what you should do if you're worried about building work.
Watch our video about what you should do if you've applied for planning permission but your plans have changed.
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.
Watch our video about how we work to stop properties being used as a short term holiday let.
Watch our video about how you can ask for an investigation into a planning breach.
Watch our video about our complaints process and how we keep you updated.
Watch our video about what we do after a complaint is made and how we decide when to take enforcement action.
Watch our video about how we decide when a breach doesn't need further action.
Watch our video about what we do when a landowner refuses to engage with us about a complaint.
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.
Watch our video about how you can appeal an enforcement notice and what happens when you appeal.
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.
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.
Read our Planning local enforcement plan for more information on how we identify and deal with planning breaches.
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.