Glossary
Retrospective planning permission
Retrospective planning permission is sought after development has already been carried out without the consent it needed. The council judges the work against current policy as if it had not yet happened.
Applying retrospectively does not guarantee approval; refusal can lead to enforcement.
All UK nations can consider retrospective applications under their own planning Acts.
Official source: Enforcement and post-permission (GOV.UK). Checked 27 October 2026.