The enforcement of planning regulations helps to protect you and our environment by making sure that developments have the necessary planning permissions and accord with any conditions which have been imposed. The Council is responsible for this enforcement, and will investigate any alleged breaches of planning control.
Where someone considers that a possible breach of planning control has taken place they should contact the Development Control Section of Development Services.
Making an enquiry
Enquiries can be made by telephone or in person, but should also be confirmed in writing. Where a breach of planning control is established, a written complaint can be a valuable source of evidence where the matter is pursued. Written complaints can be in the form of a letter, but official complaint forms can be obtained here.
Often the person making the enquiry or complaint will wish to have it treated as confidential. This should be made clear at the outset. While enquiries can be treated in this manner, the success of any subsequent enforcement action may be limited if they can not be used as evidence where an appeal is made to the Scottish Ministers or a prosecution sought through the Courts.
Anonymous enquiries or complaints will not normally be acted upon.
Investigating and reporting on the enquiry
Once an enquiry has been investigated, the Council will determine what action, if any, should be taken. The power to take formal enforcement action is entirely at the discretion of the Council, however, the type of action taken must be commensurate with the nature of the breach.
If the Council does not take suitable action, it can be reported to the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland (Ombudsman).