Planning Advice prior to purchasing? Help!

Habitual

Hey guys, would love some advice here. MY OH and I are looking at buying a house within the DLCOCO area. The house (cottage) itself is quite small (55 sqm) but has a very large garden that we would look to extend up one story and onto the existing house. The house is in great location and ticks the boxes we want. However if we did not get approved for planning then we would not be happy with this house long term and also would not be happy with our investment. The property has never had a planning application previously and is not a listed building. So we are in a bit of a pickle... We need to be better informed prior to moving forward on this.

We have tried calling planning consultants to get their opinion before we proceed further but they only deem to deal with larger projects. Could someone recommend a planning consultant (by PM of course)preferably in the DLCOCO area that specialises in this type of work? Or should we just use a local architect? Or recommend any other steps to take. We did visit the council offices but they were not particularly helpful... This is one of the biggest decisions we will ever make and I want to be sure that we are informed enough and at least have an reasonably positive outlook that we would get planning permission of some sort on the property.

Appreciate any info.. Thanks.

dos29

Don't know if this is possible but,
Could you deal with it as if it's a green field site?
Place offer subject to planning and apply for permission before buying?

sydthebeat

dos29 wrote: »

Don't know if this is possible but,
Could you deal with it as if it's a green field site?
Place offer subject to planning and apply for permission before buying?

i seriously cannot see any vendor being happy with that arrangement, unless you offer well above and beyond whats being asked.

you can always go into your local planner with your ideas and they will focus you on any prospective issues.

this wouldnt be a definite yes or no, but you should come from the meeting with a fair idea whether its a runner or not.

Habitual

sydthebeat wrote: »

i seriously cannot see any vendor being happy with that arrangement, unless you offer well above and beyond whats being asked.

you can always go into your local planner with your ideas and they will focus you on any prospective issues.

this wouldnt be a definite yes or no, but you should come from the meeting with a fair idea whether its a runner or not.

Thanks Syd, you are right re the vendor, it is in receivership so it will be a quick sale. Unfortunately you cannot meet the local planning office unless you own the house or have a letters giving you permission from the owners. No easy answer I guess to this.

Rabbo

You need to speak to a local planning consultant who will be able to advise the prospects for planning. An extension could be built to the house up to 40m2 without planning subject to some restrictions. Did you get the house surveyed by anyone yet?