What happens if I don't have planning permission? Advice from a planning permission consultant in De Beauvoir Town, London

Planning permission is approval granted by the local planning authority to construct, expand, renovate or demolish a building. It is most often required on new builds, although major changes to an existing construction can require it also. In this article, Humphreys & Sons - a planning permission consultant in De Beauvoir Town, London - explains why planning permission is important, what happens if you don’t have it, and the next steps to take if you have already commenced construction without prior planning permission.

The importance of using a planning permission consultant in De Beauvoir Town, London
The fluctuating nature of local planning legislation means that planning permission can be a difficult subject for the layman to understand. Consultants with years of local planning experience can play an important role in ensuring project plans meet even the most complex of requirements.

A planning permission consultant in De Beauvoir Town can also provide analysis and insight on how to best approach a construction project to achieve your desired outcome. With input from a consultant, you can fine-tune your plans to ensure you pursue the most suitable development options for the area.

Failure to obtain planning permission

If you fail to obtain planning permission, or if you fail to comply with the details outlined in a planning permit, you may have committed what is known as a “planning breach”. This occurs when:

• Development is undertaken without permission being granted, regardless of whether the application was refused or never applied for.
• Development is undertaken that breaches the conditions outlined in an approved planning application.

Is a breach of planning permission illegal?

A planning breach is not in itself illegal, and councils are often happy to approve a retrospective application if planning permission has not previously been sought. If the breach involves the development of a plan which has previously been rejected, the council could seek to issue an enforcement notice which requires you to rectify any changes you have made to a property or space.

If you’ve already begun construction on a new building or have started renovations that may require planning permission, now might be a good time to meet with a local planning permission consultant in De Beauvoir Town.

Why would a council serve an enforcement notice?

Your local planning authority will usually only serve an enforcement notice if they feel that you have breached local planning control regulations. To come to this conclusion, they will have to consider that your construction is harmful to the neighborhood. The most decisive issue for local planning authorities is whether the breach:

• Affects public amenity.
• Affects existing use of land.
• Affects buildings that merit protection (such as listed buildings or those otherwise in the public interest).

What happens if I have been served an enforcement notice?

It is against the law to disregard an enforcement notice. However, you can appeal against both refusals of permission and enforcement notices. If you have been refused planning permission or issued an enforcement notice, it's important to avail of the services of a local planning permission consultant in De Beauvoir Town.

How to appeal an enforcement notice with a planning consultant in De Beauvoir Town, London

If you’ve already been issued with an enforcement notice, it’s important to act straight away. Humphreys & Sons is an experienced planning consultant who may be able to challenge the decision made by your local planning authority on your behalf. With decades of experience in local planning legislation, we’re perfectly poised to help get your construction project back on track.

If you require further help regarding planning permission applications or advice on how to retrospectively appeal for planning permission/appeal an enforcement notice, act today. Simply contact us online and a member of our team will be happy to discuss your project in confidence.

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