Planning enforcement

Effective enforcement is important to maintain public confidence in the planning system.

Enforcement action is discretionary, and local planning authorities should act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of planning control. They should consider publishing a local enforcement plan to manage enforcement proactively, in a way that is appropriate to their area. 

This should set out how they will monitor the implementation of planning permissions, investigate alleged cases of unauthorised development and take action where appropriate.

National Planning Policy Framework (2024).

1. An effective planning enforcement service plays a key role in upholding the integrity of the planning process and provides an important contribution to maintaining public confidence in the planning system.
2. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) therefore encourages Local Planning Authorities to publish a local enforcement plan to appropriately manage planning enforcement matters in their area.  Planning enforcement is limited to managing development under the terms set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and other relevant Regulations and Development Orders.
3. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has adopted a Planning Enforcement Local Plan to set an overview of the service and an understanding of the planning enforcement function within the overall planning service.  This plan sets out the way in which the Council will investigate alleged breaches of planning control and how decisions on formal enforcement action will be made.