What is Planning Enforcement

Planning enforcement deals with a wide range of alleged breach of planning control. The planning laws, which identifies what you can and cant do, are outlined by Central Government and not by the Council, therefore it is Waltham Forest Council’s duty to apply these rules at the local level.

» View the Planning Enforcement Policy (64KB PDF file)

» View the planning enforcement register

What do we deal with it

  • Change of use commercial: the use of the building/site is changed without planning permission
  • Change of use residential: the use of a residential is changed without planning permission
  • Domestic extension: building works is carried out without planning permission or planning conditions are not kept
  • Flat conversation:  property that has been converted into flats without planning permission
  • Home of Multiple Occupation: property that is used as a HMO without the appropriate licence or planning permission
  • Unauthorised advertising: advertisement that is displayed without planning permission.
  • Untidy Land
  • High Hedges/Trees (is currently on the planning enforcement web page)
  • Satellite Dishes

What we don’t deal with

Planning enforcement is a varied department who deals with a number of enquires regarding alleged breach of planning control, however not every new building or change of use needs planning permission from the Council. Central Government lists a number of classes of development which, subject to certain conditions, can be carried out as 'permitted development' for single dwelling houses and some kind of commercial and industrial uses. Other issues that the planning enforcement team do not deal with are:

  • Boundary disputes
  • Neighbour disputes
  • Investigation on ownership of land
  • Noise or air pollution
  • Parking and highways issues
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Licensing issues
  • Anonymous complaints

Householder Development

Please note that not all householder development requires planning permission to be obtained from the Local Planning Authority. Permitted Development allows for certain development to take place without the need to make a planning application. The following interactive guide sets out what constitutes Permitted Development see http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/house

What are the main duties of planning enforcement officers?

Officers core duties are:

  • Investigating allegations and enquiries
  • Contact complainants and offenders with progress on an enquiry
  • Negotiating remedial action
  • Liaising with other Council departments to ensure consistency of approach
  • Making recommendations as to the expediency of taking enforcement action
  • Checking compliance with enforcement notices and prosecuting for non-compliance
  • Appearing as a Council witness in the Magistrate Court

Service Standard

Planning enforcement is a lengthy process, our aim to improve the service that is provided by categorising new complaints and act on them within the guided timeline:

  • Criminal: Complainants that falls within this category will be visited within 2 working days from date that is received.
  • Conservation / listed buildings: alleged breach of planning control within a conservation area will be visited within five days from the date received
  • Other: other alleged breach of planning control will be visited within 15 days from the date received

The Planning Enforcement Team believes that prevention is better than cure and officers will actively work with residents, businesses and others who need advice to ensure compliance with legislative controls as well as those who bring potential breaches to our attention to ensure that we are delivering the service required and expected.

Customer satisfaction

Waltham Forest Planning Enforcement welcomes feedback from residential in able aid us improve the service that is provided.

» View the latest survey results (210KB PDF file)

Logging an complaint

Enquires can be received via the » online planning enforcement enquiry form, letter, email or telephone.

Confidentiality

Waltham Forest has a policy of maintaining the confidentiality of the complaint in all cases.

Contact us

Planning Enforcement
Environment and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest Road
London E17 4JF

Tel 020 8496 3000
Email planning.enforcement@walthamforest.gov.uk