Missing planning permission docs

J8ck

The property we are buying has full planning permission for a barn conversion that was granted in 2005. Work commenced under Building Notice with our vendors within the 5 year stipulated period.

We have spent considerable time reviewing the plans/architect's drawings with the vendor and are comfortable with carrying on where they left off (their sale is due to family member terminal illness).

Naturally, as part of our due diligence I made an appointment and went to our local planning office to view all the documentation associated with this planning permission. The paper file (no electronic records for 2005) contained what you'd expect to see chronologically so imagine my surprise when I discovered the existing and proposed plans (ground floor, 1st floor, outside elevations) against which permission was granted (and a date-stamped cross-section acknowledging a specific modification as a condition of permission) were not in the file. I couldn't speak to anyone at the time other than an assistant who was next to hopeless, so when I got home I wrote in formally and am awaiting the Planning Officer's response (case opened, response expected within 20 working days).

I am assuming it is the Planning department's responsibility to source the relevant copies to re-instate them into the file? I assume they will have to approach the architect from 2005, or our vendor for replacement copies? Does anyone know if this put's the planning permission granted, or our ability to proceed with the conversion, at risk? I'm not going to exchange until this is sorted out. Thanks.