Enforcement Advocacy

Planning enforcement action can feel overwhelming — especially when you're faced with official letters, deadlines, or even legal threats. At ET Planning, we help landowners, developers, and homeowners respond calmly and confidently, using honest advice and strategic negotiation to de-risk the situation.

Enforcement is about more than just defending your position. It’s about understanding your legal exposure, assessing planning risk, and knowing when to negotiate, comply, or fight back.

We support clients facing:

• Unauthorised development or change of use
• Breach of planning conditions
• Non-compliance with approved plans
• Enforcement Notices or Stop Notices
• Planning Contravention Notices (PCNs)
• Section 330 information requests
• Retrospective planning risks

Our planning consultants are experienced in resolving enforcement disputes across England, including:

These are often the council's first step in building an enforcement case. We prepare accurate, risk-conscious responses that protect your position — and avoid accidentally admitting liability.

If the council issues a formal notice, you have limited time to appeal. We assess the notice for flaws, advise on the best grounds of appeal (planning merit or legal defences), and prepare a strong case.

Where planning permission might reasonably be granted, we help you submit a robust retrospective application to regularise the development and bring the matter to a close.

Many enforcement cases can be resolved through early, strategic dialogue. We manage communications, engage with enforcement officers, and propose solutions that reduce risk and avoid escalation.

If your site has a complex history or unclear status, we help you build a defensible position — using lawful development certificates, planning history analysis, or new applications to de-risk the situation.

Delaying or mishandling enforcement can lead to formal notices, legal costs, or even injunctions. Early planning advice gives you control over the outcome — not just a reaction to threats.

• Honest assessment of your position and risks
• Clear strategy to regularise or appeal
• Liaison with council officers on your behalf
• Focus on reducing liability and unlocking site value

In Trouble with the Council?

We’ve helped clients facing enforcement action over everything from home extensions to commercial uses. Our advice is always clear, commercial, and grounded in planning law — not just wishful thinking.