CIVIC chiefs claim they do not know how many retrospective planning applications have been submitted in the last five years.

Although not illegal, retrospective schemes – which seek permission after a development is complete – are becoming an issue in the district.

But in response to a Freedom of Information request, the council said it does not hold data on them.

The Chronicle had asked for the number of retrospective applications between June 2016 and June 2021.

Lorna Hutchings, planning delivery and implementation manager, said: "In response to your FOI request, there is no specific national code for a ‘retrospective’ planning application and therefore we cannot generate a report for ‘retrospective planning applications’ or hold this information, as per your request.

"However you can search using our advanced search on our planning website. Please use the council's planning portal and input ‘retrospective’ in the description keyword box, there is a date section in which you can put the dates you’ve requested.

"This will identify retrospective applications but may not be exhaustive."

When attempting this method, the planning portal says 'too many results found' and the search fails to go through.

Nick Butler is currently developing a meadow in Dradfield Lane, Soberton. He does not have planning permission and when he submitted a retrospective application, he was found to have illegally destroyed hedgerows.

A few months ago, Cllr David McLean said that retrospective applications make the council's planning committee "absolutely pointless".

He said: "Someone doesn't like what they drew up initially and takes it into their own hands to change it.

"It feels like we serve no purpose, it's absolutely pointless. We really do need a way to police all of the retrospective applications we receive.

"Why do we exist if we are just completely and utterly disregarded?"