Report a breach of planning regulations

Find out information on how to report a suspected breach, what we will investigate, what harm means, and what will happen next.

Planning enforcement

Planning enforcement deals with possible breaches of planning rules. This could include alterations to buildings, extensions, new building work, changes in how land or buildings are used or occupied, or work to protected trees or listed buildings.

We can investigate when development may have occurred without the correct planning permission, or where development does not follow approved plans or planning condition.

A breach does not automatically mean the council will take formal action. We first need to consider what harm has been caused and whether taking action would achieve a useful planning outcome and be in the public interest. National planning guidance says councils should act in a proportionate way and only take enforcement action where it is appropriate to do so.
 

What we can investigate

We can investigate possible breaches of planning control, including:

  • building work carried out without the planning permission needed
  • work that does not match approved plans
  • failure to comply with planning conditions
  • unauthorised changes in the use of land or buildings
  • unauthorised work to listed buildings
  • unauthorised work to protected trees
  • unauthorised advertisements
  • unauthorised activity in a conservation area
  • very untidy land or buildings that are visible from a public place, where planning enforcement powers may apply
     

What we cannot investigate

Some matters are not planning enforcement issues. We cannot normally investigate:

  • private disputes between neighbours
  • boundary disputes
  • land ownership issues
  • covenants or rights of access
  • concerns about property values
  • noise, anti-social behaviour or nuisance that is dealt with by another council service
  • highways, drainage, licensing, health and safety or building safety matters
  • fly-tipping, graffiti or trespass
  • work that is allowed under permitted development rights
  • trees or hedges that are not protected by planning controls

If your issue is not a planning matter, another council service or organisation may be better placed to help.

Before you make a report

Before contacting us, check as much as you can.

You should:

  • check whether the work or activity is still happening
  • check when the work or activity started
  • check whether there is already planning permission for the site
  • check whether the work may be allowed under permitted development rights
  • gather any evidence you have, such as photographs, dates or clear details of what has happened

Some breaches may be too old for enforcement action to be taken. If the work or activity happened over 10 years, we may not be able to investigate or take action.

How we deal with reports

When we receive a report, we will consider whether it appears to involve a planning breach.

If it does, we will look at:

  • what has happened
  • when it happened
  • whether planning permission was needed
  • whether there is planning harm
  • whether formal action would be proportionate and in the public interest

In some cases, we may decide that no further action is needed. This could be because there is no breach, the breach is minor, there is little or no planning harm, or the matter can be resolved without formal enforcement action.

Where appropriate, we may ask for changes to be made, invite a planning application, serve a formal notice or take other action available to the council.

The Leeds Local Enforcement Plan explains how enforcement cases are prioritised, what we do with reports and the different actions available to the council.

How to report a suspected breach of planning control

To report a suspected breach of planning regulations, please use the enforcement form.

Report a breach in planning regulations online

We will only accept reports made on this form, if you do not have an email address, you can contact us on 0113 222 4444.

You will need:

  • the address or location of the site
  • a clear description of what has happened
  • the date the work or activity started, if you know it
  • photographs or other evidence, if available
  • an email address so we can contact you

We do not accept anonymous reports. However, your personal details will be kept confidential.

Terms and conditions

We do not accept anonymous reports, but your details are kept confidential.
By using this service, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to our terms and conditions.

You also confirm that you agree to our privacy policy. The privacy policy explains your information rights, how we use your information and how to contact our Data Protection Officer.

Existing notices of planning enforcement

This list is the register of enforcement notices that were authorised or served up to the end of March 2023. New notices served from 1 April 2023 are available on Public Access.