Report a planning breach

A breach of planning control is carrying out a development without the required planning permission, or failing to comply with any condition with which planning permission has been granted.

Examples of breaches of planning control:

• Buildings that are erected, extended or altered without permission.
• Engineering operations which take place without permission.
• Work that is carried out that does not follow previously approved plans.
• Any situation in which planning permission is granted but not complied with.
• An unauthorised change of the use of a building or land (using a residential property for business for example).
• Work on listed buildings without prior Listed Building Consent (LBC).
• Failure to comply with conditions or terms of a legal agreement attached to permission/consent.
• Demolition in a conserved area.
• Work on protected trees without consent or proper notification.
• Advertising without consent.

We will attempt to resolve issues by:

• discussing them with developers
• serving enforcement notices
• taking direction action and resolving the cost
• completing legal proceedings.

It may not always be practical to take formal action, but we will investigate all breaches.

A breach of planning control is a criminal offence when it concerns:

• work to listed buildings
• protected trees
• the display of advertisements without the necessary consents.

An offence can also take place if the developer fails to comply with the requirements outlined in an enforcement notice that has been sent to them.

To report a planning breach, we need:

• your name
• your address
• your contact details
• details regarding how the development does not comply
• details of the harm being caused
• photos or a video clip of the alleged breach emailed to planning.enforcement@colchester.gov.uk with a note identifying the site.

We do not accept anonymous forms, but will keep your details confidential. We may contact you if we need more information.

Do not use this form for general enquiries, planning comments or complaints, as they will not be responded to.

What happens after a breach is reported?

After we receive your form, or if we suspect something is wrong, the site will be inspected.

If a breach is identified, the person responsible for the breach will be informed, and given advice about how to fix the breach.

Addressing a breach of planning control without formal enforcement action is often the quickest and most cost effective way of achieving a satisfactory result. If the identified breach is minor and it can be resolved through negotiation or through the developers voluntarily compliance, the landowner will be given a chance to remedy the situation within an agreed time period.

If the breach is serious, and there is no prospect of planning permission being granted and/or the landowner is unwilling to cease or remove it, we will take immediate enforcement action.

It can take several weeks before an officer is able to visit the site as we contact the landowner to decide if the development requires permission, and whether permission might be granted. If formal enforcement action is required, it can take much longer.