Sometimes, neighbouring gardens and land can be left to deteriorate. It can become unsightly or attract other environmental crimes, such as fly-tipping. The Council has powers to investigate such incidents to ensure that residents respect their neighbours and their environment.

Environmental Health
If the material in an untidy garden is putrescible (e.g discarded foodstuffs, excrement, nappies, dead animals) and is causing a nuisance to neighbours or attracting rats or mice, the Council's Private Sector Housing Team may be able to take action to deal with this.

Inert materials which are just unsightly are unlikely to be causing a statutory nuisance.

Planning Enforcement
The Council has been given powers to help maintain the standard of the local environment. However, it is also the responsibility of individuals to ensure that they do not leave land under their control to deteriorate to the point where the only option is enforcement action.

Land or buildings in an unsightly condition that may be "detrimental to the amenity of the neighbourhood" could be dealt with under powers available to planning enforcement officers.


Contact us
You can report a problem to the Private Sector Housing Team:
Email: Environment@waveney.gov.uk  
Telephone: 01502 523119 or 117?

You can report a problem to Planning Enforcement:
Telephone: 01502 523074

Write to either department: Town Hall, High Street, Lowestoft NR32 1HS.

Consultation
If you have any ideas or suggestions as to how we can improve our services or the information we have provided, then we would be pleased to hear from you. The contact information you require is detailed above.