Buying a site - Research

Rodir

I am just looking for a list of things i can do to research a site i would be interested in buying. What resources are available and where? Things like maps with boundaries, Aerial photos, previous planning permissions. Basically anything you can research about the site in question. It would be good to see what information you can gather and people will know of things i never would have thought of. Thanks for your help!

muffler

First stop should be your local planning department where you can inspect the register to look for any other planning applications made in respect of the site.

When you are there you can also check the zoning, proximity of monuments, National Heritage Areas, Special Areas of conservation etc etc.

That will keep you occupied for a wee while

No6

First thing I'd do is go and check the sightlines at the site enetrance. If you can't achieve whah is required in the co developemnt plan then you don't have a site!!

martinn123

Some Co Co's have an interactive Web-site, where you can zoom in on the site, and up pops any planning Ref No's.
Then with that Ref you can see all the details of the application on line.
Helpful if you want to check nearby land for any planning applications, to see what conditions, apply locally.

Also with Google maps you can check the sightlines, as recommended by No6.

So for a couch potatoe, like me, no need to visit the Local Auth office.

Slig

No6 wrote: »

First thing I'd do is go and check the sightlines at the site enetrance. If you can't achieve whah is required in the co developemnt plan then you don't have a site!!

In my part of the world the soil conditions are a much clearer defination. Its gotten to a stage where I advise them to get the site analysis done before we even meet on site.

That said, I take your point. There is a big difference between a site and a field which is something we should have learned from our current predicament. In many areas in the West you wont get planning even on a perfect site unless you have ties to the area, are farming the land and have a genuine housing need. It might be worthwhilw meeting with a planner if you arent fully sure from your research

No6

Slig wrote: »

In my part of the world the soil conditions are a much clearer defination. Its gotten to a stage where I advise them to get the site analysis done before we even meet on site.

That said, I take your point. There is a big difference between a site and a field which is something we should have learned from our current predicament. In many areas in the West you wont get planning even on a perfect site unless you have ties to the area, are farming the land and have a genuine housing need. It might be worthwhilw meeting with a planner if you arent fully sure from your research

Theres no point IMO in spending money on a site assessment unless you can comply with the sightline requirements first!!

muffler

Chicken and egg

Slig

agreed, many sight lines issues can be resolved by work to the roadside boundary, in fact planning conditions on a few of my recent grants have stipulated that the full roadside boundary be removed and set back.

There is no one aspect but I agree it is better to check things like sight lines, minimum area, zoning etc first as it wont cost anything.

Eoghan Barra

In addition to the other suggestions already made, my advice would be to ask for a pre-planning meeting with the coco area planner and area engineer. They should be able to tell you what potential problems, limitations there might be were you to buy the site and seek planning permission.

No6

Slig wrote: »

agreed, many sight lines issues can be resolved by work to the roadside boundary, in fact planning conditions on a few of my recent grants have stipulated that the full roadside boundary be removed and set back.

There is no one aspect but I agree it is better to check things like sight lines, minimum area, zoning etc first as it wont cost anything.

I have had frequent issues with the area enginners looking for all the hedges to be removed and the planners looking to retain them!!, figure that one out!!