THE

PlanningEnforcementAdvisory

Independent advice from a former council enforcement officer who knows exactly how the other side thinks.

What do you need help with?

Received a
council notice

Work already
carried out

Planning
some work

Report a
planning breach

I'm not sure what I need

We understand how councils make decisions.

1,000+

enforcement cases investigated.

John Langdown, Founder & Planning Enforcement Specialist

John has personally investigated over 1,000 planning enforcement cases while working for numerous Local Planning Authorities across England, covering residential extensions, changes of use, complex commercial sites and large-scale developments. That means we do not have to guess how a council will interpret evidence or decide whether to act. John has made that exact decision, from that exact seat, over a thousand times.

About us

Understand your notice

Different notices mean different things. Find what you've received and understand what usually happens next.

01

The council is asking you for information while it investigates a possible breach. Receiving one does not itself mean formal enforcement action has been taken.

21 days to respond, from the date the notice was served.

Understand a PCNTalk to us about this
02

Formal enforcement action has been taken. The notice will explain what the council says is wrong, what needs to happen and any relevant appeal or compliance deadlines.

Commonly 28 days to appeal, before the notice takes effect.

Understand an Enforcement NoticeTalk to us about this
03

The council believes a planning condition has not been complied with. This type of notice is different from an Enforcement Notice and needs to be handled differently.

The compliance period stated in your notice.

Understand a Breach of Condition NoticeTalk to us about this
04

A Stop Notice can require specified activity to stop and can take effect quickly. The exact implications depend on the notice received.

Can take immediate effect.

Talk to us about this
05

If you're not sure which notice you have, we can help you work it out.

Talk to us

A clear way forward.

01

Tell us what's happened

Tell us what you have received or what you are dealing with. We explain the immediate priorities.

02

We review the situation

We examine the notice, planning history, site context and correspondence.

03

We explain your options

Plainly, and without jargon: the realistic routes open to you and what each one means.

04

We help you act

We deal with the council and manage the next steps with you, before any deadline is missed.

Useful resources

View all resources
A drawer of paper case filesNotices

What is a Planning Contravention Notice?

Read the guide4 min read
A red-brick period houseEnforcement

Enforcement Notices and Appeals

Read the guide5 min read
Aerial view of a residential streetRetrospective

Can I apply for retrospective planning permission?

Read the guide5 min read

Frequently asked

Planning enforcement is the process local councils use to investigate and, where necessary, resolve suspected breaches of planning control.
Read exactly what it's asking for and note any deadline shown on it. See Understand your notice above for what your specific letter means, or get in touch and we'll explain the immediate priorities.
Not necessarily. Some letters are simply requests for information as part of an investigation, not a finding that anything has gone wrong. What it means depends on the type of notice: see Understand your notice above.
If you're dealing with a council notice or investigation, enforcement is a distinct specialism from general planning consultancy or applications. That's specifically what we advise on.
As soon as you receive contact from the council, or before you build or change the use of a property if you're at all unsure of the planning risk.
No. Speaking to us is confidential and doesn't involve us contacting the council unless you instruct us to.
Yes, where instructed. We can correspond with the council directly on your behalf.
No. We are based in the South West but advise clients across England.
There's no charge for the first conversation. If you need a more detailed review, one-hour consultations start from £120. We'll explain any further costs before you decide how to proceed.
Yes. All enquiries are treated in strictest confidence.

Speak to someone who understands it.

Enquiries are free, whether you get in touch through the contact form or by phone. In-depth consultations start from £120.

Get expert advice
01234 567 89