Most airliners will be flying a deccelerated approach. In otherwords. they will start the approach by intercepting the glideslope at a much higher speed that VAPP (V Approach). They typically intercept the glideslope with first or second stage flap selected, then will lower the gear then the remaining stages of flap aiming to be stabilised in the approach configuration at VAPP by 1000'(or whatever height their company ops manual specifies). This would be at 3.3 NM on a typical 3 degree glideslope.
If ATC want more or less spacing to get another aircraft off the runway or to maintain minumum separation for wake turbulence they will either ask them to keep a particuar speed until a certain DME, or in the case you heard, come back to VAPP earlier than 1000'.