Planning Enforcement - unauthorised work and planning complaints

The Department works in partnership with all sectors of the Manx Community to protect and enhance the Island’s environment within the core principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability; whilst optimising quality of life, international reputation, food production, energy security and outdoor amenity, and protecting the health of the public. 

One of the key areas of responsibility is Development Management – determining planning applications and taking enforcement action.  On the whole the planning system operates well, but there are times when things go wrong – development might not be carried out in accordance with approved plans and conditions.  Sometimes work is undertaken without first seeking the required statutory consents from the Planning & Building Control Directorate. 

The Department has produced an operational policy (see downloadable documents) which sets out the approach to planning enforcement within the Planning and Building Control Directorate of the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture. For ease, the term planning enforcement will be taken to include enforcement action under the provisions of the Town & Country Planning Act 1999 and the Control of Advertisement Regulations 2013.  Suspected breaches of the Building Control Regulations 2014 are not included within this Policy. 

A breach of planning control is an offence, and so it is important that alleged breaches are investigated and that consideration is given to using the Department’s discretionary powers to take proportionate action.  Members of the public and community groups have an important role in alerting the Department to potential breaches of planning control.  Should you wish to report a matter where you think a planning breach may have occurred please complete the Planning Enquiry form (see downloadable documents). The form should be sent to the address below where the matter will be investigated as appropriate.