Does the council have to take enforcement action against me?
When is it ‘expedient’ for a council to take planning enforcement action? If you have carried out development without planning permission, or not quite in accordance with your approved plans, you may be bracing yourself for the worst. But before you assume the council is about to serve an enforcement notice requiring you to demolish […]
NEVER ignore an enforcement notice
What is a planning enforcement notice Councils can take planning enforcement action if they believe there has been a breach of planning control. This usually means one of three things. Something has been built without planning permission. Something has been built differently from the approved plans. Or the use of land or a building has […]
Planning statements matter more than ever
Why planning statements matter more now From 1 April 2026, the planning appeal system in England is changing. Many applications that are refused and then appealed will now be handled under the new Part 1 written representations procedure. Under that procedure, there is no statement of case — and the guidance is clear that applicants […]
New planning appeal rules mean your planning application needs to be stronger from the start
The planning appeal system in England has changed for most planning applications submitted from 1 April 2026 onwards. In most cases, if the application is refused and later appealed, the inspector will decide the appeal largely on the basis of the material that was before the council when it made its decision. There is no […]
Beds in sheds, granny annexes and garden rooms: when do outbuildings need planning permission?
Garden outbuildings are very common. People use them as home offices, gyms, studios, workshops, storage rooms and children’s playrooms. In many cases, they can be built without a full planning application under permitted development rights. We have written separately about when an outbuilding is ‘reasonably required’ under permitted development rules. This article deals with a […]
The 4-year rule in planning: does it still apply?
The 4-year rule in planning: does it still apply? The 4-year rule used to be one of the most useful parts of the planning enforcement system. In simple terms, some unauthorised building works, and some unauthorised changes of use to a single dwellinghouse, could become lawful if they had existed for four years without enforcement […]
Why your neighbour got away with it: planning enforcement and precedent
It is one of the most common frustrations in planning. You want to build an extension, convert a property, alter a roof or use a building in a slightly different way. The council raises objections. The plans are criticised. You are told the proposal is too large, poorly designed, harmful to neighbours or contrary to […]
What to do if a planning enforcement officer visits your property
How to handle a planning enforcement investigation A visit from a planning enforcement officer can be alarming. For many homeowners and small developers, it is the first sign that something may have gone wrong with a building project. It is easy to assume the worst. People often imagine that the council is about to make […]
Single-storey rear extensions: why they still get refused
Planning for single-storey rear extensions There cannot be many houses left in England that do not already have a single-storey rear extension. They are by far the most common form of householder development. That is hardly surprising. They are relatively easy to build, comparatively affordable and they transform the way a house works. Older houses […]
What are permitted development rights?
What are permitted development rights? Permitted development rights are one of the strangest features of the planning system. In theory, they are supposed to simplify life for homeowners by allowing certain types of development to be carried out without applying for planning permission. In practice, they do the opposite almost as often as they help. […]