Planning enforcement

Enforcement register

We have a statutory duty to hold and maintain an enforcement register. This records details and basic information about what notices have been issued.

The notices contained in the register are:

• Enforcement Notices
• Breach of Condition Notices
• Full Stop Notices
• Temporary Stop Notices

Enforcement registers are public records and hard copies of the notices can be viewed by arranged appointment only. Email planningenforcement@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305 838336 and select option 2 to arrange an appointment.

Report your concerns

Report your concerns about possible unauthorised development. This could be about:

• building works
• how land or buildings are used
• works to listed buildings
• protected trees
• the erection of adverts
• the use of land for waste disposal
• buildings, plant or machinery for refuse or waste materials
• the site not meeting the conditions attached to a planning permission
• an issue relating to a quarry/mine
• pop up camping sites

Some development may not need planning permission because planning law allows development to be carried out through permitted development rights.

Before you start

To get us to investigate an issue, you must complete a form. To complete the form you will need:

• your contact details - your details including your name and email address (or phone number). We will keep your personal details confidential unless we are required to disclose them during an enforcement appeal or as evidence to help secure a prosecution in the courts. 
• the address of the land or property about which you are concerned. You can give the address if known, a description of location or select it on a map.
• details of your concerns - to help us investigate, this should include:
  • what you are concerned about and the impact it is causing
  • The date it started and the date it was substantially completed, if relevant
  • if it is ongoing, dates and time of day
  • harm to the environment including pollution or risk to human health or the community
  • the application reference number if applicable

Other helpful information you can provide:

• other relevant planning or enforcement reference numbers
• who is / was responsible
• any photos or other documents you want to include
• vehicle registration numbers - if applicable

If you are unable to complete the form online, you can contact us and an advisor will help you.

What we do when we receive a report

We do not always take formal enforcement action. If the issue is not considered to be harmful to the environment or community, the investigation may be closed and no further action taken.

If we find an issue we may not be able to stop or reverse the situation straight away. We usually try and negotiate a solution. This lets the people responsible have a chance to sort the issue.

This may mean we:

• suggest they make a retrospective application. The development being unauthorised will not affect how the decision will be made, it will be judged on it's planning merits. If approved it could authorise the development.  If refused they can appeal the decision
• take formal action and serve notices to remove / stop works or cease any use. The people responsible can appeal against the formal action. If there is an appeal, we will usually wait for a decision to be issued and then take further action as it is needed

Find out more about planning enforcement

Our enforcement plan sets out how the we deal with breaches of planning control and what we will investigate as part of a planning enforcement case. Where possible, we will seek to resolve breaches of planning control through negotiation.

Confirmation of Compliance with Enforcement Notice

Use this service if you require confirmation that an Enforcement Notice served by the Local Planning Authority has been complied with. Includes a site visit, full check of the enforcement case and written confirmation of the outcome. The fee for this service is £570 (inc. VAT). Please e-mail planningenforcement@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

Contact Planning

See our contact details, including our response times and the areas we cover.