Did you forget to apply for planning permission before extending your home or business? Maybe you looked into it but decided it was too expensive or would take too long. If you’re now trying to sell your property but didn’t get planning permission for an extension or new structure, the good news is that there’s still time to do this.
It involves getting retrospective planning permission. Read on to discover everything there is to know about retrospective planning permission, including:
- What is retrospective planning permission?
- Who can apply for retrospective planning permission?
- How long does retrospective planning permission take?
- What can you do if your retrospective planning permission request is denied?
What is retrospective planning permission?
As mentioned briefly above, retrospective planning permission is when you apply for planning permission after you have completed a renovation project. If you are looking to sell your home and you carried out building work that required planning permission but you didn’t apply for it, then you’ll need to apply for retrospective planning permission.
Retrospective planning permission can be requested for a wide range of structures, including:
- Granny flats
- Boarding houses
- Extensions
- Large sheds
- Backyard studios
- Garages
- New homes
You can apply for retrospective planning permission for both residential properties and commercial buildings.
Who can apply for retrospective planning permission?
Anyone can apply for retrospective planning permission. However, it’s worth noting that around 12% of all retrospective planning permission applications are rejected.
If you hired a builder or contracting company to carry out work on your home, then they should have taken care of any planning permission and building regulations for you. However, if you carried out the work yourself, then you’re responsible for applying for planning permission, either before or after the work has been completed.
In most cases of retrospective planning permission, the homeowner has applied because someone has made a complaint to the local authority or an enforcement officer has requested that they do so. Don’t panic if you’ve found yourself in this situation. If you need help applying for retrospective planning permission, then companies that provide building consultant services offer your best chance of success. Head to these experts to guide you through the process.
How long does retrospective planning permission take?
Any type of planning permission can take a while to be approved. It doesn’t matter if it’s applied for before or after a structure has been built. On average, it takes around eight weeks to find out if your application has been approved or denied. However, in some cases, this can be extended to thirteen weeks.
What can you do if you retrospective planning permission is denied?
In most cases, retrospective planning permission is granted. However, if your application is refused, then you may need to reverse any changes you have made to your property and/or reconstruct any demolished buildings.
If you’ve been refused planning permission, you can appeal the decision by contacting your local planning authority. This can take several months to be completed. However, don’t give up.
