Planning

Peak District National Park Authority planning information

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Planning Enforcement

Planning laws are intended to control the development and use of land in the public interest.

Planning enforcement primarily deals with developments that do not have the benefit of relevant planning permissions being granted, for example, the erection of buildings or the change of use of land, these developments are referred to as ‘unauthorised’

The effective and proper enforcement of planning controls is essential to protect the environment and to safeguard the interests of people who live and work in the Peak District National Park and visitors to the area from the harmful effects of unauthorised development.

The Peak District National Park Authority, like all other Local Planning Authorities, has a duty to investigate suspected breaches of planning control. Authorities are encouraged, whenever possible, to resolve identified breaches without taking formal enforcement action. Where this is not possible, however, there are statutory powers available to seek to remedy the breach.

What to do if you are concerned about a possible breach of planning

You can use the following links to see an outline of the legal framework for enforcement action and see a summary of the formal powers available to us, and how we apply them. You can also read about the Authority's policy on the enforcement of planning control and see an explanation of how we carry out our enforcement activities.

What is a breach of Planning Control?
What action can the Authority take?
What happens when we receive a complaint?
What are the Authority's priorities
What happens if you are not happy with our service?

Committee Reports

The Authority’s Planning Committee considers a report on enforcement activity every three months. The reports are presented in January, April, July and October (prior to May 2007 in February, May, August and November).

These reports summarise the action taken in the previous three-month period and include, for example, the number of complaints received about possible unauthorised development and the number of formal notices issued.

April 2010 enforcement quarterly review
April 2010 enforcement quarterly report
Location map of high priority enforcement cases

January 2010 enforcement quarterly review
January 2010 enforcement quarterly report
Location map of high priority enforcement cases