Question about buying Property with land

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Fanatical

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Sorry if this is a silly question but I'm pretty 'green' when it comes to buying property.

Is it possible to find out if you can get planning permission before committing and buying?

I am thinking probably not but I'm hoping you can! Does anyone know?
 
Not an expert but I know you can ring your planning department and have a chat re the property and see if any other house in area has put in what you want to. I think you can also put in for a kind of planning permission it doesn't mean they will give it to you but will give their thoughts on it. You still need to put in proper plans etc but you don't have to own the property. At least our council allows this. Give them a call and see what they say. You can also check online if the property has had planning permission granted or not.
 
Yes I think anyone can apply for planning permission anywhere.

Buying subject to planning is a huge gamble though as the vendor could back out of the deal if you obtain planning. This leaves you out of pocket while the evil vendor has an asset worth considerably more than before, at no cost to himself.
 
Yes you can, unless the rules have changed. I have known builders get planning permission on a property that was up for auction before they even bought it (no wonder they could afford to outbid everyone else!)

Best thing is to telephone the local Planning Authority, the Council. It depends on their Local Plan, which give the rules and regualtions that the Council have to go on when deciding on giving planning permmission. You can get a copy of the Local Plan at the library but it might not mean a lot to you as there will be pages to wade through.

Generally there is little opportunity to build in "open Countryside" but this Government has relaxed the rules a bit and there is definitely more emphasis on getting houses built particularly if they are environmentally friendly.

There was a metal barn that had been burnt down, no insurance, so the owner was left with no barn and no money. Tried to get planning permission for a house, which was turned down. Recently tried again with an Eco house - not sure if it included a turf roof but it was heading that way - and got his planning permission.

The other people that might know would be a local Planning Consultant and these can be found at estate agents - large ones dealing with land, not just selling houses.
 
Thanks both for your replies. And that's a very good point singing dawg - hadn't thought if that!
Trouble is, it's also a risk to buy a property only to find you can't get the PP you need to use the property as intended.
Difficult one.
 
Thanks also Orange horse - very helpful info. I will look into it further.
If it makes any difference, it wouldn't be to build a house, but to build stables and add an arena.
 
Planning for what? Whichever agent is selling have valued it taking into account any planning potential it may have, reflected either way in price.
 
RTE, I'm thinking OP was wondering whether the house would be allowed stables or an arena etc adding, not whether the house had potential?

I still find it freaky that a stranger could apply for planning on a house that they didn't own!
 
Yes, you can apply for planning permission if you don't own a property/land. Part of the application form has ownership certificates for you to sign - all you do is sign "certificate b" and serve a notice to the owner.

Try speaking to a planner, they can give you a fair idea whether you will get planning although there are never any guarantees.
 
Should have mentioned the pre-app thing. We charge £250 but it does mean that as well as a planner giving advice we also involve other departments eg. highways, landscape, conservation officer (depending on the site). We try and give a council wide view and in that way provide a bit more certainty for the customer.
 
Planners in the council often have a policy to say no whatever you approach them with. I read in the council offices the other week that their target for applications for rural live/work units was 100% refusal. What the hell is going on there?!

However, with relaxed permitted development rules you may be able to build in the curtilage without much problem. If there was a problem with stables, you could build a really nice strong solid workshop, say 36 feet by 20 feet, which would convert at a later date to stables.

Must be plenty info online about the new PD regs, google it, or spend a few pounds on a chat with a good rural chartered surveyor who is up to speed on them. I'd hate to advise anyone to approach planners, they are so corrupt, almost as bad as parking wardens.:mad:
 
I agree with Singing Dawn. We spoke to them before applying for our stables (thankfully they hadn't thought of charging for pre-application advice at that point!) They told us XYZ and then when we put the application in refused it! They allowed half of what we wanted, saying we could apply at a later date for the rest (for which we would have to pay for another planning application at around £500!) I can't stand them!
 
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