Closed petition Retospective Planning

Closed on 28 January 2014

Retrospective Planning is treated in the same way as a normal application and given the same considerations.
I propose all retrospective planning applications should be considered as contravening the rules straight from the start and should therefore a heavy punitive fine should be imposed to deter retrospective buildings and change of use applications.
Retrospective applications are being used as a vehicle to circumnavigate the system, with planning applications only being submitted when they have been caught out.
This problem is costing every tax payer in the country an increase in council taxes as the authorities have to investigate and report on planning contraventions, with no cost to the offending applicants.
We must stop this free for all on building and stop retrospective planning applications from becoming the norm.