[Neil]

I know I think about things in simple terms but almost everything without planning permission that requires it should be put back to its original state before planning permission can be apllied for.

That would cost those who wish to break the rules money and stop them doing it. Retrospective permission should be very rare.

Any work carried out by professional builders without permission should lead to a big fine for the builder. They know the rules so should not build without permission.

Why can our Councils/Government not see things so simply?