Where permission has not been granted, is the matter acceptable in planning terms?
To commence building works or make a change of use without planning permission is not in itself an offence. Local authorities must consider an unauthorised development in exactly the same way as a planning application and can ask for a planning application to be submitted to try and regularise the situation. This is the most common approach, if the activity or building is potentially acceptable. Conditions can be imposed on any permission granted in order to control the development; for example, the opening hours of a business. If an application is submitted complainants will be consulted on the application. Enforcement action will not normally be initiated whilst the application is prepared and under consideration. Enforcement action will not be taken simply to remedy the absence of a planning application.
