How do I make a Planning Enforcement complaint?

You can make a complaint about unauthorised development by contacting the Planning Enforcement Team.

Contact Details

Planning Enforcement

Email - planningenforcement@chester.gov.uk

Opening hours - 8.45am - 4.45pm

Phone number - 01244 402538

Fax - 01244 320946

Address - Planning Enforcement, Development Directorate, Chester City Council, The Forum, Chester, CH1 2HS

• Planning Enforcement Complaint Form

Complaints that are submitted to the Council must include a full description of the problem, the address of the property concerned and your contact details.

• Alternatively, your local Councillor may take up the matter on your behalf.
• We do not investigate anonymous complaints, concerns raised in relation to competition between businesses, or neighbour disputes.

How are Planning Enforcement cases decided?

Officers investigating a case are looking for the facts and will only state that a breach has occurred when this is proven on site.

• It is important to note that it is not appropriate to take enforcement action just because a planning application was not submitted prior to the development.
• Officers of the Council have a legal right to enter land to investigate reported breaches.

The Council will, in most cases, write to the landowner when a breach has occurred.   What happens to my Planning Enforcement complaint and how long does a formal complaints procedure last?

• Your identity will remain confidential.
• We will send you a written acknowledgement, with details of the officer dealing with your case.
• When your case has been investigated, we will tell you what action is proposed or, if no action is to be taken, we will explain why.
• This will normally take no more than 8 weeks. At each further stage, we will write to you or telephone you to let you know what action we have taken, and what is likely to happen next.
• Once we have made a decision regarding your complaint, you have no right of appeal.
• Breach of control is substantiated and ask that he / she remedies the breach voluntarily, in an agreed time-scale.
• If co-operation with the Council is not obtained, then enforcement action is likely to be taken.
• At each stage of formal enforcement action the Council may, if appropriate, seek to offer various options, which will avoid time consuming and often-costly appeals or prosecution proceedings.
• If the investigating officer deems that the breach is minor, taking further action may not be justified.

What happens to my Planning Enforcement complaint and how long does a formal complaints procedure last?

• Your identity will remain confidential.
• We will send you a written acknowledgement, with details of the officer dealing with your case.
• When your case has been investigated, we will tell you what action is proposed or, if no action is to be taken, we will explain why.
• This will normally take no more than 8 weeks. At each further stage, we will write to you or telephone you to let you know what action we have taken, and what is likely to happen next.
• Once we have made a decision regarding your complaint, you have no right of appeal.

What happens if a Planning Enforcement complaint is made against my property?

• Officers investigating a report look for the facts, and will only state that a breach has occurred when it is proven on site.
• Officers of the Council have a legal right to enter your land to investigate any reported breaches.
• The Council will, in most cases, write to yourself as the landowner when a breach of control is substantiated and ask you to remedy the breach voluntarily, in an agreed timescale.
• If your co-operation with the Council is not obtained, then you will be advised that enforcement action is likely to be taken.
• At each stage of formal enforcement action the Council may, if appropriate, seek to offer you other options that will avoid time consuming and often costly appeals or prosecution proceedings.
• Officers will seek to ensure that you are left in no doubt as to your responsibility to remedy the breach of control.