Planning Permission - How long does it last?

[JonP]

Hi,

A few months ago I got some really good advice regarding a property survey on a Grade II listed converted watermill from lots of people here and I hope you can come up trumps again!

We've finally moved into The Old Mill now, and while it's perfectly liveable compared to lots of places, we need to sort the windows out! There's a photo attached showing the windows. 4 out of the 7 don't open at all and those that do are louvred windows.

So, the house next door (The Millers House) is owned by the architect who converted the mill and the stables which are on the other side of our property. He rescued them from ruin and started work on them 38 years ago. I think the Planning Permission was granted for our place some 25 years ago... the properties either side have hardwood windows and we think we'd like the same, but:

Some people have told us we'll have to keep the profile of the frames (what there is of them) that we have now and therefore we'll need to replace them with some custom built metal ones. Nice looking but very expensive.

Our architect neighbour says that because Planning Permission was granted on his plans (which show hardwood windows on our property) and work was started (back in the late 80's), we should be able to install hardwood windows to the specifications shown on his plans.

Does this sound plausible?

I hope so, because we have to spend lots of money and I'd rather spend less on nice hardwood frames than more on not quite as nice metal ones. It will leave more money to fix the other scary stuff!

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[Penners]

If you look through the letter of consent, it should tell you the duration of the consent. But you'll almost certainly see that the consent only lapses if the work is not commenced within the stipulated period.

Once work has started, I don't think the consent can lapse.

But your architect should be the expert on whose advice you can best rely.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I second Penners advice!
What a lovely property, best of luck with it!

 

[shelli]

Our architect neighbour says that because Planning Permission was granted on his plans (which show hardwood windows on our property) and work was started (back in the late 80's), we should be able to install hardwood windows to the specifications shown on his plans.

He's right, you can - with absolute 100% certainty.

More house envy!! - tis gorgeous - love the wisteria - one of each I notice - blooms in May and in June. Mine not quite so impressive yet (18 inches high!!)

Shelli X

 

[Penners]

love the wisteria

Actually, I think it's a Mazda, isn't it?

 

[JonP]

Thanks for your advice. Looks like I'll continue buttering up the neighbour!

Regarding the Wisteria... it's about 3 foot into the lounge now. My girlfriend says it's time to cut it back, but I think come Xmas it'll look lovely over the telly with some lights on it.

 

[AMc]

Get copies of the permissions and the relevant reference numbers before you start. That way no matter what might happen with your neighbour or planning you have something the show them.

Our vendor had full permission to divide her/our house up in 1990 something but she couldn't find the documents or numbers, planning couldn't either and were sceptical they existed. The work had been lapsed for several years and it held up the purchase. As we didn't want to complete the plans we were able to drop the issue and accept that building control had signed off on the work to date.

Good luck - looks lovely

 

[JonP]

Update...

Following on from all the advice we got from this post here's what we've done:

1. Met with the local bod who looks after LBC, who said that there are a couple of windows that are original and he'd like us to keep them. I'm not sure there were any "orginal" windows when the place was built, but since my girlfriend likes them and wanted to keep them if we could, it's not a battle I need to have.

2. We got a couple of quotes - one for wooden and one for metal frames. All with double glazing, I'm afraid.... I'm ready for a few tellings off on that one :wink:

3. On the advice of Nemisis, we met up with Jon Maine, who lives down the road. He showed us his windows and his whole house. Wow! If there's ever an example to follow, it's Jon Maine... if you have the skills and budget! Seriously, Merchant's House is WONDERFUL. The trouble with it is this - before when we met Jon and had a look at his house, we just wanted to get the windows and roof fixed here. Now we want to do EVERYTHING!

Since we don't have the money to do everything just yet, we're going to at least try to fix the holes in the roof and put in some windows that keep the water and wind out.

Anyway - looks like we're going to go for metal windows as it's a bit more in keeping with the industrial nature of the building, it will be easier to match the existing windows with metal than wood and finally the frame profile is a little thinner so we'll get a little more light in (essential to get every bit of light in, since it's been misty for about 6 months in the Mendips).

We're leaning towards using Cotswold Casements to build and install the windows... But are looking to get another couple of quotes. Any ideas?

 

[skier-hughes]

2. We got a couple of quotes - one for wooden and one for metal frames. All with double glazing, I'm afraid.... I'm ready for a few tellings off on that one :wink:
Nothing wrong with DG, so long as the windows themsleves are "in keeping"


Since we don't have the money to do everything just yet, we're going to at least try to fix the holes in the roof and put in some windows that keep the water and wind out.
This is a big problem, Damn that Jon Maine and his beautiful house Little by little and you'll get there, good luck and nice to hear it is progressing.

 

[Flyfisher]

As long as you get LBC for the proposed windows then I'm sure DG will be fine.

As for visiting finished projects, it can be both inspiring and daunting at the same time. Best to focus on the inspiration.

 

[JonP]

As for visiting finished projects, it can be both inspiring and daunting at the same time. Best to focus on the inspiration.

You've hit the nail on the head there. Jon's place is 'dauntspiring' :mrgreen:

 

[Penners]

Jon's place is 'dauntspiring'

You're in marketing, aren't you? :wink:

 

[JonP]

You're in marketing, aren't you?

Online promotion & Search Engine Optimisation actually

I work with a lot of marketing agencies though, so I have clearly picked up the ability to take a sentence and turn it into something that flows from the rear end of a bovine... I try to reign it in, but sometimes can't resist.

 

[Penners]

Online promotion & Search Engine Optimisation

Ah.... marketing.

Excreta tauramus sapientiam vincit.



(With apologies to all Latin speakers who are now writhing in pain)

 

[Nemesis]

Weren't you once in marketing Penners?

 

[JonP]

"Ex quaero opulentia" as my clients remark on an almost millenial basis.

 

[Penners]

Weren't you once in marketing, Penners?

It takes one to know one.

 

[Carol]

If there's ever an example to follow, it's Jon Maine... if you have the skills and budget! Seriously, Merchant's House is WONDERFUL. The trouble with it is this - before when we met Jon and had a look at his house, we just wanted to get the windows and roof fixed here. Now we want to do EVERYTHING!

Everything syndrome is spreading far and wide! OH's dwindled enthusiasm for our house was rekindled by a visit to the Merchant's House. I hope it lasts long enough to finish our pointing which we started five years ago. His excuse (valid, I know!) is it's too cold now!