It’s not unusual for an enforcement officer to ask someone to submit a retrospective planning application. This simply means applying for planning permission after the development has already taken place.
Being asked to submit a retrospective application may indicate that the local planning authority (LPA) considers the development acceptable in planning terms. However, approval isn’t guaranteed—sometimes issues only come to light once an application is assessed.
In some situations, the LPA may consider the development is acceptable subject to conditions. For example, a restaurant operating close to homes may need restricted opening hours to reduce disturbance. A retrospective application is invited to enable such conditions to be imposed.