Most development and uses of land or buildings require the benefit of planning permission or other relevant consents such as Advertisement Consent or Listed Building Consent from the Council before it is implemented.  Development without the benefit of planning permission is unauthorised.

The Planning Enforcement Section investigates every breach of planning control and seeks the necessary action to put the breach right.

Normally the owner/occupier of a property or person carrying out the work will be given the opportunity to rectify the matter.  This can either be to submit a planning application or other related application to resolve the matter or by stopping the activity or removing or modifying the unauthorised work.  If a very minor breach of planning regulations occurs which is of little consequence then no further action will be taken.

Our aim is to try and resolve breaches of planning control without instigating formal action, but if negotiations fail it is necessary to consider whether it is expedient to take legal action.

Formal enforcement action can be in different forms, the most common are:-

• Enforcement Notice - brings about the cessation of an activity on land or secures the removal of unauthorised development,

• Stop Notice - required if the Council, having served an Enforcement Notice to ensure that a use or activity stops as soon as possible.  This action will only be taken where significant adverse effects are occurring or where the activity would result in long term damage to the environment,

• Breach of Condition Notice - required to secure compliance with a planning condition for example the failure to submit a landscaping scheme as required by a planning condition,

• Planning Contravention Notice - gives the Council powers to obtain information about suspected breaches of planning control,

• Section 215 Notice - can be served by the Council for land or buildings to be improved to cease any injury to the amenity of an area and is an effective measure for untidy sites and derelict buildings which, because of neglect are eyesores.

In all cases, apart from a Breach of Condition Notice, the recipient of enforcement action has the right of appeal either to the Planning Inspectorate or the Magistrates Court.

The service is available at the following locations:
Council wide from the headquarters from the Manby

This service can be applied for in the following ways:

• By visiting Council offices
• By visiting a Customer Service Centre
• By calling the Council
• By posting or faxing an application form
• By applying over the Internet

Anne Shorland - Team Leader - 01507 329542

John Bushell - Enforcement Officer - 01507 329543

Ryan Dodd - Enforcement Officer - 01507 329466

Jo Parker - Compliance Officer - 01507 329594

If you wish to register a complaint for investigation please contact the Enforcement Section at East Lindsey District Council, Planning and Regeneration Department, Tedder Hall, Manby Park, LOUTH, Lincolnshire, LN11 8UP;

or telephone: 01507 601111;

or contact Customer Services:

E-mail: customerservices@e-lindsey.gov.uk - remember to mark on your email clearly for the attention of Planning Enforcement. 

or fill in a complaint form and return it via email or post.

• Development Control
• Building Control
• Pollution Control
• Licensing
• The team will also involve external agencies if it desirable to do so, such as the Police, Environment Agency and the County Council.