A Planning Contravention Notice arrives after a garden annexe is reported.
An illustrative, representative situation, not a description of a specific client or case.
The situation
A homeowner converts a garden building into a self-contained annexe. Some time later, a neighbour reports it, and the council opens an investigation by issuing a Planning Contravention Notice requesting information about what's been done and when.
Key facts
- Response window
- 21 days from when the notice is served
- If missed
- Failing to respond in time is itself a criminal offence
What matters
A PCN is a request for information, not a finding that a breach has occurred. What's said in the response, and how completely it answers what's actually being asked, shapes what the council decides to do next.
Possible routes
Broadly: respond accurately and only to what's been asked, respond with additional context that may help explain the situation, or take advice before responding if anything about the notice or the site's history is unclear.
How it could progress
Reviewing exactly what the notice asks, and the site's planning history, before responding is usually what determines whether a PCN response resolves things quickly or invites further investigation.
Possible resolution
A complete, accurate response can lead to the investigation closing without further action; depending on what's found, a council may instead move to a further notice or continued investigation.
This may sound familiar if:
- You've received a Planning Contravention Notice
- You're not sure how much detail to include in a response
- The notice mentions a deadline you want to check
- You want to understand what happens after you respond
Related guidance
Does this sound familiar?
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