Planning
enforcement
The role of the Planning
Enforcement team is to investigate complaints into alleged breaches
of planning control.
A breach of planning control is defined as development
carried out without planning or advertisement consent. Activities
we investigate include:
- Unauthorised building works (including works to Listed
Buildings)
- Unauthorised changes of use
- Unauthorised engineering and other operational development
- Illegal advertisements and fly posting
To find out more details of the service we provide, see our
Planning Enforcement Guide (Word doc.) and
Direct Action Guide (Word doc.).
Telling us about potential problems
If you are concerned about a possible breach of
planning control then please report it; complete our
online form or telephone us on 0208 430 2000
(Ext. 38300) and ask for the Planning Duty Officer.
A planning officer is available between 9am and 1pm, Monday to
Friday. You may contact the Duty Planning Officer by phone or by
visiting the Development Control reception on the first floor of
the Town Hall Annexe, 330-354 Barking Road, London, E6 2RT.
Please ensure specific details of the breach and its location are
provided. Failure to do so could result in us being unable to
investigate the matter.
By post
We prefer customers to use the electronic form
found above, but if you would rather write to us, please use the
address below:
Planning Enforcement
London Borough of Newham
Newham Dockside
1000 Dockside Road
London
E16 2QU
Please include the following information:
- address of property or land in question
- details of the alleged breach
- your name and contact details
- any other supporting information (e.g. photos)
Confidentiality
All investigations are carried out on a strictly confidential
basis and your details will not be revealed at any point during the
investigations. When a serious breach of planning control occurs,
which may warrant prosecution or results in an appeal you may be
invited to be a witness if your evidence is considered crucial to
the Council's case. Such occasions are rare and involvement is on a
voluntary basis
What we can't deal with - common misunderstandings
Boundary or Party Wall Disputes
A typical example would be a shared boundary where a new extension
overhangs or encroaches onto neighbouring land. The planning
department does not police private development to this extent, and
cannot become involved in covenant or deed disputes. We recommend
that you take further advice, perhaps in the first instance from
the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Obstruction of a Highway
Typically this problem would relate to a shared driveway or private
access. Obstruction of a public highway is a breach of The Road
Traffic Act (1988). This is a matter which must be dealt with by
the police. For more information, please get in touch with the
Metropolitan
Police.