Entry for Planning Enforcement

Town and Country Planning Act 1990, s.196A

Warrant: No
Force: No
Notice: Yes

Authorises a person duly authorised in writing by the local planning authority to enter any land at any reasonable hour for the purpose of ascertaining whether there has been a breach of planning control. This power supports planning enforcement investigations, including checking whether development has been carried out without planning permission or in breach of planning conditions.

Conditions

The officer must be authorised in writing by the local planning authority
Entry must be at a reasonable hour
24 hours' notice must be given if the premises are occupied
A warrant from a justice of the peace is required if entry is refused or the land is unoccupied

Limitations

This is a planning authority power: police do not exercise it directly but may assist
Obstruction of an authorised officer is a criminal offence
The power is limited to investigating planning breaches: not a general entry power

Last updated 24 September 2026