A lot of development takes place in West Dorset and the majority happens without any problems. Occasionally, a breach of planning control may occur.

Development or demolition may have been carried out without planning permission or without following the conditions of planning permission. Alterations to listed buildings, building work in conservation areas, certain types of advertising and alterations to protected trees and hedgerows may also be breaking planning regulations or not have the necessary permission from the district council.

How can I report a possible problem?

The district council has a team of planning enforcement officers who investigate complaints received from the public as well as town and parish councils.

You can contact the team in several ways:

• Complete the Alleged Planning Breaches (opens in a new window)  form
• Contact the Enforcement Team 

What should I do if I have more than one development to report?

If you are writing to us, please describe each problem in separate letters to help us process it faster. The letters can be posted in one envelope. Separate online forms and emails for each complaint should also be submitted.

Will my complaint be treated confidentially?

Yes. All investigations are carried out on a strictly confidential basis and the details of the person who made the complaint will not be revealed by the council without your permission. Anonymous complaints will be investigated but may receive a lower priority, unless the complainant has a reason for not giving their details, and explains this to the enforcement officer.

What happens next?

All complaints are acknowledged in writing. An enforcement officer will visit the site to check the situation against the records of planning decisions and whether the buildings are listed or the changes are in a conservation area.

If the Enforcement Team finds that the changes do not break planning laws or regulations, the case is closed and the complainant informed.

If this is not the case, the district council will continue to investigate the situation and a decision will be taken on how to rectify it.

We will try to negotiate an informal settlement before considering formal action, which may include prosecution proceedings against those responsible for the changes.

Most breaches of planning control cannot be stopped at once and may, if the resulting process ends up with an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, take over a year or more to finally resolve.

The law limits the powers and duties of West Dorset District Council in its role as local planning authority. The council cannot, for instance, investigate disputes over boundaries or covenants.

Where can I find more information?

Read the details of the formal legal notices served by the district council. The  planning enforcement policy and procedure booklet (pdf, 283kb) (opens in a new window) is also available.

Anyone who wants to know if they should have permission for any alterations should contact the district council's Development Services Division.

Searching Planning Enforcements

Please contact the Senior Enforcement Officer, Mr Kevin Perry, on 01305 252274 for assistance.

• Name: Development Services - West Dorset District Council
  Email: planning@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 251010
  Fax: 01305 251481
  Full details for Development Services - West Dorset District Council