Concerned about a possible breach of planning?
Letting us know about the problem
You can report the problem by using our online breach of planning form
Alternatively you can contact us by letter, email or telephone, detailing:
- alleged breach and date
- location
- name and address of the owner, if known
- your name and contact details.
Please send to:
Planning Service
Aldern House
Baslow
Road
Bakewell
DE45 1AE
Telephone:
01629 816200
Email: planning.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk
What happens when we get a complaint?
We aim to get back to you initially within three working days, confirming who will be dealing with your concerns.
We will then investigate whether a breach has occurred – this can take several weeks.
Generally, the first thing we do is carry out a site visit to find out as much as we can about the activity taking place.
If, after the site visit, we need further information we could serve a Planning Contravention Notice on the owner or user of the site. This is issued to help collect details about the possible breach and the person(s) involved.
Also, we may invite the recipient to meet with us to discuss the possibility of them applying for retrospective planning permission.
Legally, we have to consider retrospective planning applications - even when it appears unlikely that planning permission would be granted.
How we prioritise planning enforcement issues
Our planning enforcement team covers around 1,500 sq km, and receives a lot of complaints.
This means that we have to prioritise our work based on the level of harm caused to the National Park’s valued special characteristics, amenity or public safety.
We prioritise work into three groups to help officers manage their time effectively.
| Priority | Example | Site visit completed (target working days) |
|---|---|---|
| High | Large unauthorised building prominently sited in the open countryside | 5 |
| Medium | Unauthorised joiner’s workshop causing moderate harm to amenity | 10 |
| Low | Unauthorised satellite dishes on unlisted buildings | 20 |
If a breach has taken place …what next?
If after the initial site visit and investigation it appears there has been a breach we will write to the person responsible, advising them to reverse the unauthorised work or seek retrospective consent, by a specified date (usually 28 days). We will aim to keep you informed about significant developments in the case.
If this approach is unsuccessful, or if a retrospective application is refused, we will then consider formal action. The decision to take formal action is based on the seriousness of the breach.
Wherever possible we try to resolve matters informally. However where this is not possible, we can use formal enforcement action.
If we take formal action
We will let you know if we take formal action. In most cases this will involve serving an enforcement notice requiring the unauthorised work to be removed, or the activity to cease, within a specific period.
On receiving an enforcement notice the recipient can either:
- Appeal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, within 28 days. The requirements of the enforcement notice are suspended until the appeal has been determined or withdrawn.
- Comply with the requirements of the enforcement notice.
It is an offence not to comply with an enforcement notice. If the offender is found guilty in a Magistrates Court, the fine can be up to £20,000. At a Crown Court the level of fines is unlimited.
At any stage in the process, it would help us if you keep us informed about any changes or new information.
For further information
You can find more detailed information on our ‘Planning Enforcement Policy and Practice’ page.
Our service to you
If you are not happy about the service we offer then please let us know, so that we can improve our service. Please contact:
Wendy Ruddick
Planning Liaison Officer
Peak
District National Park Authority
Aldern House
Baslow Road
Derbyshire
DE45
1AE
Telephone:
01629 816328
Email: wendy.ruddick@peakdistrict.gov.uk
