Planning before buying

[zaffy]

We have seen an equestrian/holiday glamping business that we like.
The business does not have permanent living accommodation.

The vendor has presented to the Council a planning proposal but the planning department are being slow with their decision.​

We do not want the business if we cannot live there.
The estate agent asked us not to contact the planning department.
We told him that we cannot offer a bid, without a guarantee of permanent accommodation.
The estate agent said we should contact the council's pre-planning department which is separate to planning decision department.
There are two options for possible living accommodation. One is a house, of which the vendor has offered plans to the council, and is in keeping with the holiday accommodation.
The other option is to convert the enormous attic above the offices and communal area.
If we contact pre-planning, will it confuse matters if our proposal offers both as a possibility?
If the planning that the vendor has offered is approved, we think the price of the property will rise above what we can afford, so there is an incentive for us to put in an offer if we receive a positive reaction from the pre-planning department.
The business is set in a rural area but next to the property a house is in the process of being built so permanent accommodation it seems is not out of the question.
Thank you for reading.

 

[Nicholas Wallwork]

We have seen an equestrian/holiday glamping business that we like.
The business does not have permanent living accommodation.

The vendor has presented to the Council a planning proposal but the planning department are being slow with their decision.​

We do not want the business if we cannot live there.
The estate agent asked us not to contact the planning department.
We told him that we cannot offer a bid, without a guarantee of permanent accommodation.
The estate agent said we should contact the council's pre-planning department which is separate to planning decision department.
There are two options for possible living accommodation. One is a house, of which the vendor has offered plans to the council, and is in keeping with the holiday accommodation.
The other option is to convert the enormous attic above the offices and communal area.
If we contact pre-planning, will it confuse matters if our proposal offers both as a possibility?
If the planning that the vendor has offered is approved, we think the price of the property will rise above what we can afford, so there is an incentive for us to put in an offer if we receive a positive reaction from the pre-planning department.
The business is set in a rural area but next to the property a house is in the process of being built so permanent accommodation it seems is not out of the question.
Thank you for reading.

Hi Zaffy,

If the accomodation is essential then you need to make an offer subject to planning. Failing that submit a pre-applicaton ASAP so you can hopefully get a response back before you need to exchange.

Usually councils need to reply to this within a certain tight timescale (often between 3-6 weeks but will of course depend on their workload e.t.c.). There is some good information on the Governments planning portal here:
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200232/planning_applications/59/how_to_apply/4

I'd suggest making an offer subject to the planning that the vendor has already subvmitted. They've done the work already (provided you like what they've applied for of course) and it just comes down to price... by making an offer you'll be able to sus out the vendor what their expectations are...

Good luck and keep us posted!