Planning enforcement and reporting a breach
Planning enforcement is the investigation of alleged breaches of planning control and, where a breach of planning control is identified, the aim is to resolve these using the most appropriate action. Gravesham Borough Council is responsible for enforcing control for all planning enforcement matters other than planning enforcement matters that fall within the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation’s remit and planning enforcement matters relating to minerals or waste disposal which are the responsibility of Kent County Council.
Our planning enforcement team deal with any alleged planning breach reported to them. This includes complaints about developments taking place without planning permission or building works and change of use of land or buildings.
The council has adopted a Planning Enforcement Strategy. This gives advice on what a breach of planning control involves, and how an investigation will be conducted. It also sets out the type of planning breaches that are considered to be a priority for action.
View the accessible Planning Enforcement Strategy
Most breaches of planning control are not, in themselves, criminal offences. Under current legislation the potential commission of a criminal offence ordinarily only arises if the requirements of a notice that has taken effect and have not been complied with in the time required within the notice. However, certain breaches of planning control do constitute a criminal offence from the outset. Such breaches include:
- Unauthorised works to a Listed Building, without the necessary consents.
- Unauthorised works to a Protected Tree or tree within a Conservation Area.
- The display of Advertisements which do not benefit from deemed consent.
In addition, activities involved in breaching planning control may in themself result in activities which fall within criminal or civil crimes. Examples of such crimes can include damage to property, dumping of prohibited waste, or unauthorised felling of or damage to trees.
Report a planning breach
Residents are encouraged to inform the police if they witness any crimes being committed. If someone is in danger, or if a crime is in progress, or the offender is nearby, call 999 immediately.
If a crime has already happened and there’s no immediate threat, you can call 101 or report it to Kent Police online.
To report a breach, we need:
- the address of the breach
- type of breach such as erection of a building or structure, advertisement or change of use
- your name and address
- a detailed description of the breach
Details of who is reporting a breach are kept confidential. We will tell you of the outcome once we've looked into it. We also publish updates on key sites subject to planning enforcement.
You can complete our online form to report a suspected planning breach
What happens next?
Once an alleged breach of planning control is made to the Council, the Council will consider the matter in line with the Council’s adopted Planning Enforcement Strategy.
