At Planning By Design, our team of expert planning consultants across the UK can help you apply for retrospective planning permission. With a proven track record of success, we can advise you on how best to argue your case and how best to present your development within a retrospective planning application. Our planning experts will meticulously research local regulations and building codes to ensure your application aligns with local standards. Contact our planning experts today!
The process of applying for retrospective planning permission can be complex and involve submitting detailed plans, assessments and justifications for your unauthorised development. The decision to grant planning permission from a retrospective planning application falls with your local planning authority. Our expert retrospective planning consultants will guide you through the entire application process, helping you prepare your application for assessment.
At Planning By Design, we provide RTPI certified planning permission consultancy services within all stages of the project, from pre-planning through to planning permission and building regulations. Your Planning By Design consultants will help you prepare your retrospective planning application in line with the relevant standards and best practices.
Whether you have discovered that permission was needed or have already heard from the council, the right response depends on the development and any action taken so far.
A retrospective planning application seeks permission for development that has already taken place. The council considers the planning merits of the proposal; completing the work does not guarantee that permission will be granted.
Start by establishing what was built or changed, when it happened and what permissions already exist. Our planning consultants can assess whether a retrospective application is appropriate and identify the drawings and supporting evidence needed.
Seek advice promptly and send us the complete notice, accompanying plans and council correspondence. An investigation letter and a formal enforcement notice are different documents, so the first step is to establish exactly what you have received.
Check the effective date, required steps and compliance period. In England, an enforcement appeal must be received before the notice takes effect. Ask for advice on the appropriate response and any appeal rights before deciding whether to submit a retrospective application.
At Planning By Design, we pride ourselves on offering planning consultancy services that are not only aligned with sustainability and environmental standards, but also tailored to meet the unique demands of each project.
There’s simply no better partner to guide you through the process of making a retrospective planning application to your local authority.
Our team of expert retrospective planning application consultants can help to balance the needs of your retrospective planning application and help you to prepare and assess all elements of your application.
The cost depends on the size and scale of the development and the supporting documentation required. Contact our planning consultants to discuss your project. In England, the statutory planning application fee depends on the relevant development category; there is no single fee for every retrospective application.
The 10-year rule concerns time limits for planning enforcement, rather than an automatic grant of retrospective planning permission. In England, a 10-year period generally applies to building operations substantially completed, or a change of use to a single dwellinghouse made, on or after 25 April 2024. The previous four-year limits can still apply to those categories before that date; most other breaches have a 10-year period. Exceptions apply, including cases involving deliberate concealment or earlier enforcement action. The dates, evidence and location of the development need to be assessed.
If your retrospective planning application is refused, then you may be subject to any Enforcement Action that the local planning authority has outlined to you. The local planning authority may require you to stop any further work or even revert the property to its original state or use. They can also require you to rebuild any demolitions.
Planning updates, guidance and answers from Planning By Design.
