Can someone apply for retrospective planning permission?
Where development has taken place without the appropriate permission and there is a possibility that planning permission may be granted, the owner/occupier will be invited, without prejudice, to submit a planning application. Normally enforcement action will not be taken whilst an application is under consideration. The Council would normally expect to receive a planning application within 28 days of the request to submit it. If that timescale is not met, enforcement action will be considered. Enforcement action should not be taken solely to regularise development which is otherwise acceptable on its own planning merits.
Where permission to retain unauthorised development or works is refused, the Planning Committee will normally authorise the issue of an enforcement notice at the time of making the decision to refuse the application.