Grade II listed property with no LC

Good Morning all

I was wondering if anybody could provide me with some advise, we are currently in the process of purchasing a Grade II listed town house. We have had the survey returned and it has raised a few issues namely that there has been a lot of building works which have been carried out on the property and has suggested that we ask our solicitor to check for listed building consent, which we have done and are waiting for a reply.

We have also been in touch with the local planning department and the conservation officer and neither of them can find any planning consents or listed building consent for the property. The main areas of concern for us is that the internal chimney breast has been removed in all four floors at the rear of the property and a large dorma window has been installed in the property. I know from the limited planning information that is present for a conservatory addition that was approved they were there after the property was listed. Speaking to the conservation officer he is very concerned and is trying to gain access to the property to see if an enforcement notice will be required, this has put us off continuing the purchase of the property. My question would be is it still worth continuing with the purchase knowing the we could end up with a large bill to rectify the works.

That depends on how much you like the property and how willing the current owners are to negotiate on price.

We reduced our offer on our house following a gloomy survey.

Welcome to the forum.

You know there's another thread on the same topic....
http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15192

I think under your circumstances I would wait on the CO.

And if the chimney is still present at roof level, I would also want to look in the attic and make sure that it's properly supported.

Ivor

Welcome to the forum, Rob_25. Those alterations sound rather drastic, though the full impact is hard to gauge without seeing pictures. I agree with Ivor about the possible ways the chimney breasts have been removed and think this would require further investigation and, perhaps, a structural survey.

As for the consent issues, talking to the local council planning department is the only way to get definitive answers and it's good that you've got the CO on the case. Do you know when the house was actually listed? Our G2* house was only listed in the late 1980s. If the house in question is similar then it may be possible that the alterations were made before listing and therefore did not require consent - but I'm sure the CO will be able to find out for sure.

But even if things are legal then, from your description, it sounds as if a large part of the character has been knocked out of the house Only you can decide if this means you still like the house enough to take it on.