If you have just received a letter from the council demanding you to regularize the current usage of your commercial property through a retrospective application, you need to act swiftly to avoid formal enforcement Action. Thankfully you have come to the right place! As a commercial planning consultancy, Drawing and Planning boast an excellent record in retrospective planning approval and have helped many of our clients in similar situations gain the approval they need.

To find out how we can help you with your retrospective planning application, please contact us on 0208 202 3665 or fill out the form below and one of our consultants will contact you shortly.

If building works start and planning permission is required and has not been obtained, retrospective planning permission will be required to regularise the development. A 'retrospective planning application' is essentially an application that is submitted in order to obtain planning permission for the development after it is completed.

An owner or developer should never rely on a retrospective planning permission application to get unauthorised development approved.  Anyone doing this is taking a considerable risk and may face formal enforcement action.

Drawing and Planning act on behalf of many commercial tenants, landlords and investors, who wake one morning to find a letter from the local Council Planning Office requesting they make a retrospective planning application for works which require planning approval. If you find yourself in this situation, you can GET IN TOUCH with our consultants for expert advice.

Council's enforcement officers will only encourage an owner or developer to make a retrospective application if they consider that they may be granted planning permission for the development. However, enforcement officers can only advise on this. 

The retrospective application will be dealt with by one of the planning officers in exactly the same way that they deal with any application for planning permission.

Retrospective Change of Usage applications are very complex and will require supporting evidence including business rates bills, lease's, tenant details etc. once we have carried out a feasibility on your retrospective application we will advise you of all the documents we will require.

The Pied Bull, Enfield - Retrospective Application for Listed Building Consent

Several years ago, Family P. purchased a Grade II listed Pub in Enfield. The new management decided to refurbish the local pub in order to create an improved environment in order to attract new customers.   The family knew that any improvements made to a heritage building would need to be carried out with great sensitivity to ensure all the period features are preserved.   The builders were instructed to apply Heritage approved colour paint to all the interior walls, carefully treat the oak beams to carefully restore them to their original appearance .The entire exterior façade was also given a fresh coat of paint, reviving its imposing appearance.   The bathroom facilities were in a dire state so modernised facilities were installed and a window closed to allow for new facilities. The improvements had invigorated the pub, giving it anew lease on life fit for use in the 21st century.

No sooner had business began to pick up, Family P. received a distressing letter in the post. The Planning Enforcement department at the council were not pleased that the external improvements were carried out without prior consent, and were threatening action unless the family rectify the matter.

Drawing and Planning received a call from a nervous Mr P. in which he informed our consultant of the improvements made to the pub and of the council’s aggressive letter that had followed. We reassured Mr P. that we have ample experience dealing with such situations and can help resolve the matter. Clarifying that it was necessary to submit a retrospective application for Listed Building Consent, we offered to provide all the necessary drawings and documents, closely liaise with the duty planner at Enfield Council and submit an application on his behalf.

After enlisting our service, we scheduled a meeting with Mr P. at the property to carry out a detailed survey of the site. The buildings full measurements and dimensions were recorded including all the unique Heritage features, allowing us to begin working on all the architectural drawings and associated documents.

The designers assigned to the project produced detailed drawings of the existing building, its elevations and a roof plan, as is required for all applications. A thorough Design and Access statement was also compiled along with a detailed photo survey clearly indicating the nature of improvements carried out. We sent copies of all the drawings and documents to Mr P. for his approval and comments. Once he confirmed that he was entirely satisfied with all the documents, we submitted the retrospective application to the Council.

On a summer’s morning nine weeks later, a letter from Enfield Council arrived at our offices. It read:“Permission to develop the said land in accordance with the said application is HEREBY GRANTED.”Wonderful news!

Yet another successful planning application granted. We immediately telephoned Mr P. to inform him of the good news. Much to the family’s relief they could once again be fully focused on running the pub and welcoming the new customers.