Notify us about a breach of planning control

If you believe a breach of planning control has occurred and the work being undertaken should be investigated, use the form on this page to report.

Service information

A breach of planning control can be defined as:

work carried out without planning permission
a change of use without permission
non-compliance to conditions of permission or consent
work to protected trees

The Enforcement Process

We investigate all reported cases and take action where necessary. Often we'll take no action if there's been no harm to the area or neighbours' amenity and it's not in the public interest. Planning Enforcement is a discretionary function.

When a planning breach does occur, we normally negotiate first and may ask for a retrospective application or a need to take steps to resolve problems with a development.

Where the breach is serious we may serve an enforcement notice after considering the breach against the Development Plan.

Further information on how we will investigate your complaint, timeframes and the powers available are available in the Planning Enforcement Charter.

Does The Work Require Planning Permission?

Some minor building operations are called 'permitted development' - the planning authority cannot intervene in such cases.

Read the Scottish Government's Planning Circular which explains more about permitted development rights relating to residential property

How to report

As the Council does not actively monitor the implementation of consents or search for breaches of planning control we rely on members of the public to report potential breaches. Before reporting a possible breach of planning control you should search current planning applications and decisions to check if the works have the appropriate consents.

Anonymous complaints will not necessarily be investigated. However, if you have concerns about raising an enquiry, you can ask a local ward Councillor to raise it on your behalf.