Planning Permissions on Leasehold?

madmish00

We have just discovered that the property we are looking to buy had planning permission granted back in 2005 for a single storey extension to the side of the property to incorporate a single garage, storeroom and extension to the kitchen with a conservatory on the back.

The current owners decided not to bother with the extension and instead just installed a smaller conservatory on the back.

We have two questions about this:
1. If we were to decide at a later date that we wanted to add the proposed extension does the fact that planning permission has been previously granted mean that we would simply have to re-apply and it would be re-granted. Or can they decide not to grant it this time?

2. The property itself is freehold but the land to the side of it upon which the extension would stand is leasehold. Would we need the permission of the freeholder to build the extension? Would they have been contacted in the application process the first time round or is that not something the planning office get involved in?

Thanks!

CloudCuckooLand

1. 95%+ of the time it may be ok. But don't take it for granted. If there's been a change to local planning policy, a shift of a county/council/national park/conservation area boundary, or new SSSI granted nearby, or whatever, they could have grounds to decline.

Things like; http://www.propertyweek.com/professional/stricter-planning-controls-in-flood-risk-areas/3079235.article may become a factor, for example.

2. You will need freeholder permission. Don't think they'd be contacted. There's nothing to stop someone getting planning for a property they have no connection with...acting upon it, is when ownership/permission becomes necessary.

madmish00

Thanks for the reply.

To be honest I don't think it would be something we would do anytime soon anyway so our purchase isn't conditional on it. Just like to know as much as possible before jumping into these things!