Planning Enforcement

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.

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 

Request a Planning Enforcement Investigation

We only accept requests online.unless:

• you are a resident who cannot access the internet to complete the form, or you are acting on behalf of one
• the request relates to an urgent matter, such as where the fabric of a listed building is at risk

In these circumstances you can phone our Planning Applications team 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 also send the team an email.

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.

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