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Contact the Council
Telephone: 01353-665555
Email: 
Online: The role of the Planning Enforcement Team is to investigate complaints into alleged breaches of planning control.
A breach of planning control may consist of an unauthorised operational development or use, failure to comply with a planning condition imposed on a planning permission, or development other than in accordance with an approved plan. Additionally we investigate illegal advertisements and unauthorised works to listed buildings and protected trees.
Taking planning enforcement action is at the discretion of the council whether or not a breach of planning control is identified. Government guidance suggests that the matter should be investigated and resolved informally if possible and only in the most serious cases will formal action be taken.
You can report an alleged breach of planning control by:
- Completing and submitting our online Planning Enforcement Complaint Form
-
Writing and posting your complaint to:
Planning Enforcement
East Cambridgeshire District Council
The Grange
Nutholt Lane
Ely, Cambs
CB7 4PL - By email: enforcement@eastcambs.gov.uk
- By telephone: 01353 665555
The complaint should include:
- Your details - to provide an audit trail, to request further information and to give you feedback.
- The address or location of the alleged breach (with a map or sketch if it is at a remote location).
- The issues of concern.
- How those issues affect you.
- When the development or use commenced.
- The details of any parties who may own the land or be responsible.
For more information on the Planning Enforcement Service, please see our Planning Enforcement - A Guide to the Service leaflet.
I don't want my neighbour to know that I reported the infringement. Do I have to give you my details?
All complaints are kept confidential. You should give your details however, as this allows us to request more information from you and to give you feedback. You may wish to consider making your complaint through a local councillor or your parish council.
If your complaint is anonymous it may be that the matter cannot be fully investigated as it could be lacking in detail or the site concerned cannot be correctly identified.
You should be aware that the public have a right to request details of who made the complaint through the Freedom of Information Act. Disclosure of this information would normally be prohibited but it is not automatic as disclosure has to be considered in each case.
Local Property Alterations
Some minor household developments do not require planning permission and these are known as ‘permitted development’. However, if you are concerned about a local alteration and think that planning permission should have been obtained, contact the Planning Enforcement Team, who will investigate the matter for you.
If you would like to know more about what is classed as ‘householder’ or ‘permitted development’, visit the Department of Communities and Local Government website, which will provide you with more information.
Boundary Disputes
The District Council cannot help with boundary disputes as they are a private matter, on which you must seek independent legal advice.
Details relating to your boundary may be with the deeds of you property. You can also contact Her Majesty’s Land Registry, who may be able to give you more information. They can be contacted on 01733 288288 or visit the Land Registry website.
Running a Business from Home
Planning permission may be required, but this depends on the level of activity.
If you would like us to investigate the matter for you, please contact our enforcement team by:
- Completing the online Planning Enforcement Complaint Form, or
- Email us at enforcement@eastcambs.gov.uk, or
- Telephone 01353 665555, or
- Write to us at Planning Enforcement, East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4EE.
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