We are responsible for ensuring that planning legislation is adhered to within the Lisburn & Castlereagh area.
A breach of planning control occurs when building works, a material change of use or certain other development activities take place without the necessary planning permission or consent from us or the Department for Infrastructure.
This can be:
- carrying out development without planning permission
- failing to meet any condition or limitation attached to planning permission
Examples of actions that are a breach of planning control:
- not building in accordance with the approved plans (following grant of permission)
- failing to comply with conditions attached to an approval
- unauthorised works to a listed building
- removing or lopping trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order or in a Conservation Area
- display of an advertisement without the benefit of advertising consent
- changing the use of land without planning permission
Examples of actions that are not a breach of planning control:
- internal works to a non-listed building
- clearing land of shrubs or trees (provided they are not protected)
- operating a business from home, where the residential use remains the primary use and there is no adverse impact
- where development is ‘permitted development’, i.e. where it does not require our consent
- parking commercial vehicles on the highway
- boundary disputes as these are a civil matter and cannot be controlled by planning legislation
Our enforcement role
We are committed to resolving all cases involving unauthorised development, including any consequent enforcement action.
In determining the most appropriate course of action in response to alleged breaches of planning control, we:
- take into account the extent of the breach
- its potential impact on the environment
Any decision to proceed with enforcement action will also be informed by case law, precedents and appeal decisions.
As a service we remain mindful of our duty to enforce planning legislation and to ensure that development is managed in a proactive and proportionate manner.
Planning Enforcement Strategy
Our Planning Enforcement Strategy (PDF) sets out how we will deal with complaints relating to breaches of planning control.
Report a potential planning breach
You can report a potential breach on the planning portal.