Planning Services
Planning Enforcement
The Planning Enforcement team investigate alleged breaches of planning control including:
- Unauthorised building development
- Unauthorised changes of use
- Non-compliance with plans or conditions
- Protection of listed buildings and conservation areas
- Unlawful advertisements
If you wish to report an alleged breach of planning control please ring us on 020 8215 3000 or contact us via email - planningenforcement@lbbd.gov.uk.
Every year we get around 400 allegations from Council Officers, by telephone, by email and in writing. All of these calls are investigated although a certain number turn out not to be a matter for planning.
Typical of these are:
Disputes about party walls or property boundaries - In the first instance you should take advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau as the enforcement team cannot become involved in disputes about covenants or deeds.
Obstruction of private access or shared driveways - This is typically a private, civil matter and we suggest that you take advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Obstruction of a public highway is however a breach of the Road Traffic Act (1988) and should be dealt with by the police.
Complaints about the impact of a development upon a neighbours light or 'Right-to Light' as it is often known. Although the effects of a new development upon a neighbours light are always taken into account when planning applications are considered, the 'Right-to Light' law is completely separate from planning law and you should take advice on these matters from the Citizens Advice Bureau or your solicitor.
The majority of cases are resolved without the need to take formal action. In some cases, formal action, including legal action is pursued to secure compliance. Current government guidelines stress the need to try and resolve problems of unauthorised development through negotiation with formal proceedings being an action of last resort.
Planning Enforcement Policy Statement 
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Notification of Public Enquiry
Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended)
A public enquiry is to be held on Wednesday 1 September 2010 to determine a planning enforcement appeal in respect of 96 and 98 Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, RM8 2JP (PINS References: 2126061 and 2126178).
On 22 July 2009 the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham issued planning enforcement notices on the grounds that within the last four years and without planning permission a change of use had taken place at the above addresses and that both single family dwellings have now been converted to two self-contained flats.
The Public Inquiry to determine the above appeals will be held on Wednesday 1 September 2010 in the main Council Chamber of Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU commencing at 10.00am.
The Secretary of State's appointed Planning Inspector, S A Morgan LLB (Hons) Solicitor, has been authorised by virtue of the provisions of the relevant section of the Planning Act cited above and appointed to determine these appeals.
Copies of the relevant documents, including the appellants statements etc., are available for public inspection at the reception in Barking Town Hall.
Interested members of the public may attend and, at the Inspector's discretion, give their views at the Inquiry.
The Town Hall and Council Chamber are fully accessible to disabled persons but you may wish to telephone the reception (020 8227 3833) ahead of your visit if you feel that you have particular requirements in this regard.
Parking is available in the Axe Street Car Park on the south side of the Town Hall (normal rates apply).
The appeal inspector will send a copy of the appeal decision(s) to interested parties who either make a request to him in writing or indicate on the attendance list at the hearing that they require one.
