Planning query in Donegal

rightyabe

Hey I'm thinking of buying about 20 acres of land in rural Donegal. The land already has a new house built in 2007 on the road frontage. However there is a lane way that leads to the land at the back of the house.

I am wondering could I get planning up behind the new house, maybe 100m further up the field with access via the laneway that I would own. There is a good few houses built around the area.

overshoot

Have you any ties to the area? Beyond buying this land.... And Id advise doing that subject to planning.
Existing houses count for nothing when it comes to your application.

rightyabe

I grew up about a mile away, my parents still live there, my brother would live 500 yards up the road. I got advise from a friend who say there was some 5 house rule thing?? Don't know what he meant thou. My potential house would be away off da road, not in view.

overshoot

rightyabe wrote: »

I grew up about a mile away, my parents still live there, my brother would live 500 yards up the road. I got advise from a friend who say there was some 5 house rule thing?? Don't know what he meant thou. My potential house would be away off da road, not in view.

Not as far as I know... And I work in the county! May have been in the past, not been around long enough to know the old development plans which bear no relevance. If a neighbouring house wasn't granted under the current plan the planners don't have to accept any argument of precedent.

If your family are from the area and you don't own a property you should be ok. If your down a private road and completely hidden from public it will give a bit more scope to do what you want in terms of design.
What part of the county are you in?

rightyabe

Yeah I was thinking that to. There was about 3-4 house built in a 100-200 yard area on either side of the road during the boom. I was informed that there was a 5 house in a row rule where it was hard to get planning etc etc..I'm down in South donegal.

Zzippy

Friend of mine did exactly that on a site outside Donegal Town - bought a large site c. 2 acres with existing small house at bottom of the site (it's on a steep hill) and built up behind it near the top of the site. He had local ties (grew up a mile away) - still had bother getting the planning, but eventually got it. He had to get letters from the parish priest and local principal to prove local ties and still needed a local councillor to intervene before he got planning. House is visible from the road and has an amazing view over L. Eske and the Bluestacks, I'd imagine a house tucked away out of public view might have less bother getting planning.

rightyabe

hey just out of interest how can you find out if land has been sold? The problem is I made a offer on the land but was told by the company selling it that the owner had already had a bid on the land and was considering it...but the thing is somebody is now on the land putting up a fence, moving gates, cutting bushes etc.. Now he doesn't own the land at all. If he only has a offer in on the land can he move in straight away? Or may he only be renting it? How can I find out for sure?