Make a complaint about building works done without planning permission.
We're currently experiencing high volumes of work and there may be a delay before your case is allocated to an enforcement officer.
We're sorry for any inconvenience.
What you can report
We investigate complaints about development work that may have been carried out without permission.
We can investigate:
- a development without planning permission
- a development not built to agreed permission
- an unauthorised change of use
- unauthorised works to a listed building
- an advert that needs consent
- unauthorised works to a tree with a tree preservation order
- a breach of planning permission conditions
We will not investigate:
- neighbour disputes, unless there's a clear planning issue that has a significant impact on the area
- boundary disputes
- investigation of land ownership
- party wall disputes
- noise complaints
- health and safety on building sites
- anonymous complaints
- building regulations
- erection of scaffolding
- parking issues on the highway
Before you report a breach
Before reporting a breach, you should check whether the matter:
- already has planning permission, on Planning Online
- would be permitted under Permitted Development Rights, on Planning Portal
If you do not agree with a planning decision made, there is no third party right of appeal, and the enforcement team will usually attempt to resolve matters via negotiation first.
Report it
You can use our online form to tell us about a possible breach of planning rules.
You should aim to tell us:
- when the activity started
- the address of the land or building
- the approximate dimensions of any building works
- names, addresses and telephone numbers of any owners, occupiers or builders involved
- details of any problems caused, such as noise, traffic or smells resulting from a material planning issue listed above
Report a breach of planning rules
Upload evidence
You can upload up to four images, pdfs or documents if you want to send evidence of the problem you're reporting.
Other ways to make a report
You can email planning.enforcement@bristol.gov.uk
Or write to us at Planning Enforcement, City Hall, Bristol City Council, PO Box 3399, Bristol, BS1 9NE.
An email will likely receive a faster response.
Our approach to planning enforcement
You can read our pdf Local Enforcement Plan (274 KB) .