Leaving a site idle

pconn062 · 29-09-2014 10:17am #1

Hi there,

I have a quick query if anyone can help. Myself and my partner are considering buying a site, probably within the next 12 months. The reason we are buying now is that it is in the exact area we are looking for, the price is right now (we know the farmer) and we want to try and spread the cost of a new build out. However, we won't be in a position to start the build for 3-4 years (until I finish my studies and start full time work). We are very new to all this and don't know much, if we buy the site can we let it sit idle for a few years without any consequences? We won't be looking for PP until we are ready to build so basically it will just be a plot of land, if we fence it off can it just sit until we're ready?

Thanks

stoeger · 29-09-2014 10:22am

Yes you can leave it as long as you like but why not let it out to someone for grazing for a pony that way it will not be over grown or let the farmer use it till you ready

BryanF · 29-09-2014 10:23am

Typically one would purchase a site subject to planning permission. What happens if planning is not granted when you are ready to build?

pconn062 · 29-09-2014 10:35am

BryanF wrote: »

Typically one would purchase a site subject to planning permission. What happens if planning is not granted when you are ready to build?

Good point, as I said, very new to this! So typically it would be best to see if permission is possible in the area before buying the site? I can't imagine it would be an issue as it's a rural area on a straight bit of road and several houses habe been built here in the last few years. Can you call into the council and check the general area?

BryanF · 29-09-2014 11:02am

pconn062 wrote: »

Good point, as I said, very new to this! So typically it would be best to see if permission is possible in the area before buying the site? I can't imagine it would be an issue as it's a rural area on a straight bit of road and several houses habe been built here in the last few years. Can you call into the council and check the general area?

I can imagine all sorts of reasons why planning might be granted or denied..
The council will only give you an indication -remember if it's not in writing the conversation didn't happen.
how this generally works is you employ an arch to submit a layout of the site and seek a preplanning meeting, the planner comments on the initial proposal and this give you the confidence to go for planning.
BUT only a full planning submission can actually decide if planning will be granted.
Do Note that development plans change, government policy changes and your right to build in rural Ireland has deminished over the last decade and you can be sure it'll keep going that way.

Edit: a granted planning permission lasts for five years and currently there is a simple process of extending this for a further three years.

pconn062 · 29-09-2014 11:17am

BryanF wrote: »

I can imagine all sorts of reasons why planning might be granted or denied..
The council will only give you an indication -remember if it's not in writing the conversation didn't happen.
how this generally works is you employ an arch to submit a layout of the site and seek a preplanning meeting, the planner comments on the initial proposal and this give you the confidence to go for planning.
BUT only a full planning submission can actually decide if planning will be granted.
Do Note that development plans change, government policy changes and your right to build in rural Ireland has deminished over the last decade and you can be sure it'll keep going that way.

Edit: a granted planning permission lasts for five years and currently there is a simple process of extending this for a further three years.

Thank you very much for that info, you can probably see the green coming off me from my posts! Lots there to think about, I didn't realise that planning permission lasted that long, good to know.

hexosan · 29-09-2014 12:57pm

Purchase the land subject to outline planning permission. That will give you an idea if planning can be acheived on the site.

pconn062 · 29-09-2014 6:37pm

hexosan wrote: »

Purchase the land subject to outline planning permission. That will give you an idea if planning can be acheived on the site.

Thanks a lot for that. I've googled outline planning permission but I'm still a little unsure, is there such a thing online as a dumb-asses guide to all this stuff? The stuff on citizens info is a little technical.

galwaytt · 29-09-2014 11:23pm

pconn062 wrote: »

Thanks a lot for that. I've googled outline planning permission but I'm still a little unsure, is there such a thing online as a dumb-asses guide to all this stuff? The stuff on citizens info is a little technical.

Only buy subject to PP.

Outline PP is basically permission in principle for something - eg a house. You don't need full plans, it just establishes that building is possible in the future, subject to a fuller application.

Otherwise you're just buying a field. ....

pconn062 · 30-09-2014 3:55pm

galwaytt wrote: »

Only buy subject to PP.

Outline PP is basically permission in principle for something - eg a house. You don't need full plans, it just establishes that building is possible in the future, subject to a fuller application.

Otherwise you're just buying a field. ....

Thanks a lot for that, had another read round there, makes much more sense now.

BryanF · 30-09-2014 4:14pm

IMO it's as much the 'housing need' that will have to be assessed before you hand over any cash. This can be checked in the local development plan and by planners during formal planning submission. I'm not clear if this is done at outline planning stage, I doubt it.

Poor Uncle Tom · 30-09-2014 7:44pm

One thing to be weary of regarding outline planning application - v - full planning application, and I've had this discussion with a DOS who basically confirmed my suspicions.

In a stronger rural setting where proving a housing need is integral to the grant of a planning permission the planners look at the commitment of the applicant towards the application, in this regard an outline planning application is seen as dipping your toe in the water, so to speak, and the planners may treat it accordingly, as a speculative type development.

This may not be the case for all LA's but it certainly is for some.

Leaving a site idle

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