Planning permission to renovate cottage

npedley

Hi everyone,

We are in the process of purchasing a 0.75 acre plot with a derelict traditional Irish cottage on it, with the intention of renovating it to live in as our permanent home. We want to restore it sensitively, with a thatched roof, lime rendered walls and traditional windows/doors, all within its existing footprint. We've recently had some feedback from a planning consultant (who admittedly doesn't specialise in traditional buildings) who was extremely negative about the chances of getting planning. Particularly:

• That because the cottage sits immediately next to but perpendicular to a road (single track country lane, with the gable end forming part of the boundary alongside the road), the planners would likely want it demolished and a new build erected in the middle of the plot.
• That is a reasonable chance that we wouldn't get permission for a domestic sewage treatment plant.
• That we would not be granted permission to live temporarily onsite during the renovation works.

Is there anyone on here that has positive experience of getting permission to renovate a traditional cottage? We assumed that this type of work would be welcomed if done sensitively, but his implication was not to bother and to just build a new build somewhere else. Thanks for your comments and experiences!

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058283296/planning-permission-to-renovate-cottage

From your description I would think there is every chance of getting PP....I say that without knowing anything other than what you posted and without knowing the county you are in. 2 things you should do:

1. Check the development plan for your local county particularly the housing and rural housing policies contained in same. It will be available online.
2. Look for a pre-planning meeting with the local planner to discuss your proposals.

sydthebeat

Talk to a local planning agent who has a lot of experience with rural houses in that area. It does certainly sound like that planning consultant you talked to was out of their comfort zone, especially with the talk of knocking it down and rebuilding in the middle of the plot!! Local authorities want to hold onto vehicular architecture, not replace them

FJMC

If it is in a rural area the renovation of a vernacular building can be a means of getting a dwelling in the countryside that might otherwise not be an option with the various planning restrictions on local need. However, it is probably worth doing a pre-app with your local planning to confirm that it would be acceptable - otherwise you are possibly risking a significant investment with no guarantees of the outcome.

You will also need to give consideration to other planning issues - roads, access, drainage, waste water treatment, etc.

F