Reply to: Dealing with Council Planners

[Troll]

They make it look so easy on TV. Homes under the Hammer - Buy, tin of Magnolia paint, next day EA says £200K profit.

Hmmmm think I rather would

[DimPrawn]

*Update*

Despite best efforts- my trusty spread sheet of costs versus sales only shows a profit of £1.1 million at the end- which when split between 3 brothers and subject to taxes doesn't appear to be a worthwhile exercise bearing in mind the associated hassles

It may be that a pukka developer can attack costs and extract more value but I think the best option would be to put into an Auction with a £1 million reserve and see if there is any interest

They make it look so easy on TV. Homes under the Hammer - Buy, tin of Magnolia paint, next day EA says £200K profit.

[Troll]

*Update*

Despite best efforts- my trusty spread sheet of costs versus sales only shows a profit of £1.1 million at the end- which when split between 3 brothers and subject to taxes doesn't appear to be a worthwhile exercise bearing in mind the associated hassles

It may be that a pukka developer can attack costs and extract more value but I think the best option would be to put into an Auction with a £1 million reserve and see if there is any interest

[MrMarkyMark]

What they do round by me is that the developer buys the property and removes just enough of the supporting structure so that it starts to fall apart over the next 12 months.

12 months later planning agree that a total rebuild is allowed.

Takes time but based on the number of properties it's quite obviously happened to, it must be worth it.

Yep, have watched exactly this myself.
Seriously worth considering.

Happened next to my dads where a listed barn collapsed, to be replaced by a house, a couple of years down the line.
This was right in the middle of rural Herefordshire, would never have got planning otherwise.

[Troll]

What they do round by me is that the developer buys the property and removes just enough of the supporting structure so that it starts to fall apart over the next 12 months.

12 months later planning agree that a total rebuild is allowed.

Takes time but based on the number of properties it's quite obviously happened to, it must be worth it.

Oh thanks top tip !

[Pondlife]

What they do round by me is that the developer buys the property and removes just enough of the supporting structure so that it starts to fall apart over the next 12 months.

12 months later planning agree that a total rebuild is allowed.

Takes time but based on the number of properties it's quite obviously happened to, it must be worth it.

[MrMarkyMark]

Don't mind annoying Council twunts - but not worth a criminal record

You hire someone.

AYCOTBAC?

[barrydidit]

Ever heard of an "accidental" fire engulfing a visiting council planner

FTFY

[Troll]

Ever heard of an "accidental" fire

The trouble is that Arson is taken very seriously by plod - & it would be a bit obvious if all the staircases / doors/ panelling had already been removed

Don't mind annoying Council twunts - but not worth a criminal record

[MrMarkyMark]

Also how peeved off they get about an unannounced demolition

Ever heard of an "accidental" fire

[Troll]

Been pondering this some more after a site visit over the break.
To get the property habitable and sellable requires total gutting- reroofing - rebuild of gable ends remedial work to other walls re wiring et et-bleedin-cetera - fag packet estimate of costs is circa 300k

Seems one approach to satisfy the local Conservation Nazi officer would be to pseudo demolish leaving a front façade supported by steelwork frame while the walls are rebuilt etc.
But if that is the plan then may as well demolish the lot as the worst case scenario is they force a rebuild

So bearing in mind this is only a "building of local interest" listing and not an English Heritage jobbie - besides peeving off the local conservation twot (who I don't think has any statutory powers) - we could demolish without permission having gutted and sold all the period features contained within the building (staircases, fireplaces panelling doors etc) this would help to offset the costs of the demolition and rebuild if required

Suppose it's all about how precious the council is of a view of an 1800's building from the main road as to whether they will force a rebuild

Also how peeved off they get about an unannounced demolition

[d000hg]

They can be a PITA but then you have to bear in mind the kind of abominations and thoughtless stupidity many people would build if left unchecked.

The UK stance on preservation of listed buildings - what you use rather than whether it looks right - is not very sensible but then you don't have to buy a listed building, and again you will get people tearing down gorgeous old buildings to build grotty flats otherwise - like how 1000-year-old trees used to get pulled down just to harvest their fruit because it was cheaper/easier.

It's a balancing act.

[psychocandy]

Council planners are bellends. Had a garage conversion planned. Nobhead neighbour tried to prevent it - because he could and he is a total sad case. His argument was I drove over his grass once (by about 5cm) so if I got rid of my garage I might do it more!

Council said sorry you're taking away a parking space so you need to replace it. Bear in mind, this was a garage on a modern house - 1 ft gap either side of the car so we never ever used it.

So I said, OK theres two spaces in front, and I've chippings over the garden so that makes an extra space. No good its got to be a permanent space.

So I searched recent planning for garage conversions. Found two in next street who still had just the two spaces. So I said well you let them do it. Ah ok then. Cracking way to run things....

Incidentally, said neighbour has got a huge RV that he parks on the street. Fair enough, its a taxed vehicle etc but seems a bit much to moan about someone elses parking when you've got a large additional vehicle on the street.

[Forgotmylogin]

Yes those homeless refugees love ruining houses.

Well, they seem to enjoy burning tents.

[d000hg]

Yes those homeless refugees love ruining houses.