Planning enforcement action

Request data on planning enforcement notices, investigations, and outcomes.

When development takes place without permission or in breach of planning conditions, councils can take enforcement action. The figures show how actively your council enforces planning rules.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of planning enforcement complaints or reports received. 2. The number of enforcement notices served, broken down by type (e.g. enforcement notice, breach of condition notice, stop notice). 3. The number of enforcement cases resolved without formal action. 4. The number of cases still open as at the end of the period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

Your local council’s planning enforcement team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

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Tips#

  • Councils report some enforcement activity through Planning Performance Framework reports. Check the latest report on your council’s website before submitting your request.
  • A high number of cases resolved without formal action is not necessarily bad. It may mean breaches are being corrected voluntarily.
  • If you are interested in enforcement in a specific area, ask for cases by ward or postcode area.