Ted_86

I don't trust my council to not accidentally pass on my details. They say reporting to the enforcement team is confidential, but they still want a name and address. I can just image an email being sent to the homeowner with my name mentioned somewhere.

I agree but I would be concerned that the landowner would find out it was me. I like going to my village pub and don't want there to be an atmosphere! Normally I wouldn't mind but the properties around the building are all beautiful listed houses and the "office" they've built is very ugly. Plus, reading the report where the planning was refused, it mentions that the building would be (has been) built on open countryside as it's not actually part of their residential property. Seems like they really shouldn't be able to get away with this. But I just see it as I walk my kids to school. Maybe the people who live near it have reported it.

So if someone tells the council, what can the council do? Tell them to take it down? Surely that'll have as much impact as telling them not to build it in the first place. And I can't believe the council will take legal action. Councils don't seem to have the money or the manpower.

That's a fair point. I guess it's up to the neighbours to complain if they have a problem. I was just intrigued. And I'm also surprised people are allowed to build a building that's been refused and then allow someone to rent it without any comeback from the authorities. Makes me wonder why I've bothered with planning permission and building control in the past. I should've just shoved a shed in my garden, rented it out and counted my tax-free cash.

I know people will disagree, but I really don't feel it's any of my business to go to the council. If my land adjoined theirs then maybe, but I live at the other end of the village so it won't impact me at all. The landowner applied so the council should probably check no work has commenced. So after 4 years, they could apply to build a few houses and the council would have to grant permission? Even though they refused permission for the current building and anyway, they building they've constructed is supposed to be an office, not a dwelling?

Someone in our village owns a plot of land next to their house which was formerly a farmer's field. Recently they applied for permission to build a garden office on it (even though the land is not part of their residential property). Permission was refused, but they've built anyway, and someone is now living in the building (they also put in services, a driveway etc.). My question is, if the building goes un-noticed and someone lives in the building for a period of time, will this allow them to then apply to build permanent houses on the land?