Planning enforcement

What is planning enforcement?

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

• building work, which requires planning permission, being undertaken without permission
• conditions attached to a planning decision are not followed
• the use of a building or site is changed without permission

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 by emailing planning.enforcement@enfield.gov.uk.

You will need to tell us:

• the address of the breach or location of the land
• a description of the breach or problem
• when the activity started
• how it’s affecting you or your property
• the names and addresses of any owners, occupiers or companies involved
• your contact details so we can keep you updated

If you report a breach, we will keep your details confidential and won’t 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.