Planning Enforcement

The Council is responsible for making sure that development does not take place without the necessary planning permission being obtained and that development is built in accordance with the approved plans.

If you need to make a complaint about an unauthorised change of use or building works you can write to us or complete an on-line Planning Enforcement complaint form.

If a breach of planning control has occurred the council will first seek the co-operation of those responsible to try and put it right.

If the breach is serious and negotiation fails the council can take legal action to rectify the situation. This is usually done by service of an enforcement notice. Failing to comply with an enforcement notice is an offence and those responsible may be subject to prosecution.

An appeal can be made against an enforcement notice and this will be considered by an independent planning inspector. The notice will not take effect until a decision has been made on the appeal. In exceptional circumstances the Council can serve a stop notice which requires the building works or use to cease immediately.

Please note that complaints are dealt with in confidence but we cannot deal with anonymous complaints.

Read our Planning Enforcement Protocol and Procedures .

Planning Enforcement

E-mail:

planning.enforcement
@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577150