Planning enforcement
If you think that someone is building without the council's permission, report it and we will investigate.

Search for planning enforcement cases and notices
We hold a planning enforcement (Section 188) register, which contains information relating to:
- enforcement notices
- stop notices
- breach of condition notices.
Building without planning permission
The complaints we investigate include:
- building or engineering work without permission
- changing the use of land or buildings without permission
- not meeting planning conditions
- working on listed buildings without consent
- displaying advertisements without consent
- land or buildings which, because of their condition, cause problems for local people and businesses, for example vandalised or abandoned buildings.
We decide whether to take action, but we use the Government’s Planning Practice Guidance, and our own Planning Enforcement Guide and Direct Action Guide to guide us.
Additional planning controls: Article 4 Directions
If you wish to:- carry out a change of use from a 'dwelling' house to a small house in multiple occupation
- make changes to properties in Woodgrange Estate, Durham Road and Romford Road conservation areas
you will need planning permission before you can extend or alter your home in a way that would normally be allowed under permitted development.
These additional controls are called Article 4 Directions.
If you are not sure whether you need permission, contact the duty planning officer.
Report a possible breach of planning
You can also call the duty planning officer on 020 3373 8300 (between 9am and 12 noon, Monday to Friday) or you can write to us at:
London Borough of Newham
Newham Dockside
1000 Dockside Road
London
E16 2QU
So make sure you include the following information:
- address of the property or land in question
- details of what you think is wrong
- your name and contact details
- any other information such as photos.
Confidentiality in planning investigations
If the case is serious it may lead to a court case or an appeal, so we may ask you to be a witness. We will only ask you if we think your evidence is crucial to our case. This is rare, and normally it is up to you whether you want to be a witness or not.
What Planning Enforcement can't help you with
Boundary or party-wall disputes
Blocked highway
Related documents
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London Borough of Newham Direct Action Guide PDF, 54 KB
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Contact us
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Planning Enforcement
London Borough of Newham Newham Dockside 1000 Dockside Road
London
E16 2QU
Email us