Conservation Officer coming on Thursday

[Abi Cott]

Well I have had the keys to the property for nearly two weeks. I have cleaned it from top to bottom and had an electrician round to look at the options and a Window Replace/repair guy to check out the state of the windows.

Now I have the Conservation Officer coming on Thursday. She sounded very nice on the phone.

I have read a lot of the posts on this subject, but has anyone got any last minute tips.

 

[Flyfisher]

Why is the CO visiting?

I'm guessing you have asked for a visit to discuss your plans for the property, in which case my advice would be keep to your general objectives but be flexible on the details. I say that based on my experience with our CO who, while very supportive of our overall 'vision' for our house, was able to suggest things that we didn't even think of or thought would not be possible - things that, mostly, were better than our own ideas!

I suppose it depends a lot on the CO (and I only have experience of one) but ours has been more of an expert consultant rather than a 'red tape jobsworth', even to the extent of being very supportive in the face of some minor EH resistance to one of our three LBC applications, all of which were successful first time because everything had been discussed in detail before submission.

Good luck - let us know how it goes!

 

[Abi Cott]

Well I was graced with the presence of two CO's. She was lovely and very approachable. He was rather dour and I think if I'd been faced with just him I'd have felt rather demoralised.

We discussed all the options I've been considering and bar one or two I think I had managed to guess what the likely outcome would be.

Overall it was a good visit. I now know where I do need to apply for consent. Where I don't and one where I possibly shouldn't bother (but probably still will).

My general attitude and plans for the building were approved of

 

[Hobden]

You must be happy! Have a glass or two of wine ...

 

[Lostgardensof]

Sounds promising. We are just about to contact our CO. Will be starting our project over the summer. I hadn't though of arranging a visit so I will give that a go and see what happens. First time doing up a listed building so am taking as much advice as I can. Will be interested to see how your project gets on.