(1)An application for planning permission may relate to buildings or works constructed or carried out, or a use of land instituted, before the date of the application.
(2)Such an application may be—
(a)in respect of buildings or works constructed or carried out, or a use instituted, without planning permission or in accordance with planning permission granted for a limited period; or
(b)for permission to retain buildings or works, or continue the use of land, without complying with some condition subject to which a previous planning permission was granted.
(3)Any power to grant planning permission to develop land under this Act shall include power to grant planning permission for the retention on land of buildings or works constructed or carried out, or for the continuance of a use of land instituted, as mentioned in subsection (2); and references in the planning Acts to planning permission to develop land or to carry out any development of land, and to applications for such permission, shall be construed accordingly.
(4)Any planning permission granted in accordance with subsection (3) may be granted—
(a)so as to take effect from the date on which the buildings or works were constructed or carried out or the use was instituted, or
(b)in the case of buildings or works constructed or carried out or a use instituted in accordance with planning permission granted for a limited period, so as to take effect from the end of that period.
(5)Subsection (3) shall not affect the construction of section 65, 71(1) or 197 or Part V.