Planning enforcement

In January 2022, the council adopted its Planning Enforcement Policy. This policy sets out our approach to dealing with breaches of planning control. It provides information and guidance to residents, developers, and those with other interests, about how we will deal with development that does not have the required planning permission, or where there is non-compliance with enforcement action already taken.

What is planning enforcement?

Planning enforcement investigates possible breaches of planning control. This includes:

View the Planning Enforcement Policy (PDF, 327.06 KB).

Does every development need planning permission?

Planning permission is not always required. Extensions or alterations to single dwelling houses and extensions, alterations or change of use to commercial and industrial uses may be permitted development.

Find out more about permitted development on the Planning Portal.

Report a suspected breach of planning regulations

Before reporting a suspected breach of planning regulations, check our online planning register to find out if approval for the development has already been given.

If you suspect someone has breached planning regulations, you can report it online below.

Report a suspected breach of planning regulations

If you report a breach, we will keep your details confidential and will not disclose them without your permission. You will receive an acknowledgement with information about the case, including a reference number and the name of the person dealing with your enquiry. Once we have investigated the report, we will let you know whether a breach of planning regulations has been identified and what action, if any, we may take.

Enforcement register

Under Section 188 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, every local planning authority must keep a register of information on:

Enfield planning enforcement register

You can search our register using the site address or by using the relevant enforcement number.

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