Where permission is not required from the local planning authority, or where planning legislation permits the development, the council will not be able to take enforcement action.
Report a Breach of Planning Control
You can report a possible breach of planning control using our online form.
You will need to provide:
- Your details
- Details of the alleged breach
Scope of Planning Enforcement
The Planning Enforcement team does not investigate:
Neighbour disputes
This would be a civil matter between the relevant neighbours and would not be something the Council could get involved with.
Contact the Citizen’s Advice Bureau for advice
Land boundaries or ownership disputes
We do not retain this information. You can obtain it by contacting the Land Registry. This would be a civil matter between the relevant neighbours and would not be something we could get involved with.
Works to party walls
Works to party walls are purely a civil matter controlled by the Party Wall etc Act 1996 and the council has no enforcement power to intervene. You should contact a party wall surveyor for advice in this matter.
Smells, noise and pollution
If activities at your neighbour's property are resulting in an unacceptable level of noise, smell or other forms of pollution, you should contact the council's Environmental Health team.
Dangerous structures
Dangerous structures are covered by our Building Control department.
Use of development on highways or pavements
We do not have a Highways department. Derbyshire County Council is responsible for all highways in the borough.
Derbyshire County Council - Highways
Enforcement Powers
The council’s enforcement powers are discretionary, and it will only take action where it considers there is serious harm to the amenity of the area, and not for every breach of planning control. The council’s policies are set out in the Planning Enforcement Plan.
Planning Enforcement Plan 2022
For more information please see our dedicated page on our Planning Enforcement Plan 2022