retrospective planning

tracy2star

So I'm buying a house, found that the owner did not have planning permission for kitchen extension, they have applied for retrospective planning permission, plans are in electrician went to look at property last friday, apparently its all going through, but I need to know how long should it take, or do I have to find another house, I really want this house but will it take to long, I am in a chain don't want to lose my buyer

princeofpounds

Your local planning dept will probably say on their website how long it takes them to process an application. I believe something like two months is typical, but that's just my recollection.

G_M

Of course that assumes the retro PP is granted.

Now that the issue of no PP has been officially raised, there is of course the possibility of refusal. The kitchen may need to be removed. Or altered to comply with new plans.

Assuming the extension was some years old the owner would have done better to NOT apply, but to offer you indemnity insurance which would pay out in the highly unlikely event of the council coming along and demanding the kitchen, of which they have no knowledge, be removed.

And since they can only do this anyway within 4 years (3? not sure) of the work being completed.......

But too late now the application is in. Fingers crossed.

Cash-Cows

Eight weeks.

tracy2star

Thank you all, its been in about 4 weeks now, so hopefully only 4 weeks to go, contracts are signed deposit paid and with my solicitor.
If it doesn't pass I will have to start all over again, trying not to get stressed over it but I'm never moving again!!!!!

Doozergirl

When was it built? How big is it?

There is permitted development which covers a lot of single storey extensions as far as six to eight metres, as well as the four year rule for legal development. Hopefully it's a simple formality.

tracy2star

Its 4.22 m x 3.45m built about 3 years ago I think, why did the E A not tell us about it before, surely they have to make sure sellers can sell a house. Its a kitchen extension on ground level.

LateStarter

tracy2star wrote: »

Its 4.22 m x 3.45m built about 3 years ago I think, why did the E A not tell us about it before, surely they have to make sure sellers can sell a house. Its a kitchen
extension on ground level.

Please also ask NOW about building regs sign off - you cannot complete without that. Had something similar when buying my current house. Unfortunately the EA don't ask questions like that - It only comes up when searches come in, or the seller declares it.

It worked out for me, but I had to chase the Estate Agent to chase the seller to chase the council. Now that the EA can see the commission they're likely to be very helpful to you.

Good Luck.

stator

tracy2star wrote: »

Thank you all, its been in about 4 weeks now, so hopefully only 4 weeks to go, contracts are signed deposit paid and with my solicitor.
If it doesn't pass I will have to start all over again, trying not to get stressed over it but I'm never moving again!!!!!

You haven't exchanged contracts yet I hope?

Doozergirl

tracy2star wrote: »

Its 4.22 m x 3.45m built about 3 years ago I think, why did the E A not tell us about it before, surely they have to make sure sellers can sell a house. Its a kitchen extension on ground level.

Slightly bigger than PD rights at the time, but potentially within current ones if it's a straightforward rear extension. It isn't big, so probably a formality.

Does it have building regulations completion certificate already? The two are different and not mutually exclusive.

DRP

LateStarter wrote: »

Please also ask NOW about building regs sign off - you cannot complete without that. Had something similar when buying my current house. Unfortunately the EA don't ask questions like that - It only comes up when searches come in, or the seller declares it.

It worked out for me, but I had to chase the Estate Agent to chase the seller to chase the council. Now that the EA can see the commission they're likely to be very helpful to you.

Good Luck.

^This would be my priority if I was buying.

We 'forced' our vendors to get retrospective building regs ('regularisation') for a loft conversion before we bought.