Works Carried Out Without Permission The council can take legal action if building work is carried out without permission. This is known as the council's powers of enforcement. The council also has the same powers if the use of a building is changed without permission.
What are the council's powers of enforcement?
The council provides a comprehensive, responsive and fair planning enforcement service. We investigate complaints and can take action against
- Unauthorised changes of use, such as from shop to minicab office without planning permission
- Unauthorised developments, such as construction of a building without planning permission
- Breaches of planning conditions, such as operation of a business outside that specified by planning permission
- Putting up unauthorised advertisements, hoardings and signs
- Unauthorised works on a listed building, such as replacing natural roof slates with artificial ones
- Unauthorised demolition of a building in a conservation area
- Failure to repair and maintain listed buildings
- Unauthorised works to a protected tree
- Land affecting neighbourhood amenities, such as an untidy site
How to make a complaint
If you make a planning enforcement complaint, the council will investigate and decide within eight weeks if there has been a breach of planning permission and what further action to take.
You will be kept informed of all decisions and your identity will not be given to the person you are complaining about.
If you have had a complaint made against you or your property, your premises will be visited to establish if there is a breach of planning control. In the event of a breach, negotiation will take place for an agreeable solution. If there is a clear case of breaking the law and you are uncooperative there is a risk of prosecution.
Further information
Find out more information on  how the council deals with complaints about possible breaches (48 kb) of planning legislation.
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Contact us
Please contact us for any queries or to lodge a complaint.
Planning enquiries
Tel: 020 7525 5403
Fax: 020 7525 5432
planning.enquiries@southwark.gov.uk
Council Offices
Chiltern
Portland Street
London SE17 2ES
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
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