Hey Folks,
We're looking to move house (upsizing) and have a fairly decent budget. Our search area is pretty limited by a number of factors and the only potential properties that fit the requirements are all Grade 2 Listed.
None of them are perfect and would need some work to get them to our requirements. For example, one of them is an 8 (!!) bedroom house which really needs some internal walls moving around to make fewer larger bedrooms - some with ensuites etc. It has a considerable outbuilding suitable for a workshop, but this has an open front so would need doors adding for security. The garden is almost entirely very old block-style paving which isn't entirely suitable for kids playing out - some grass would be nice. There's plenty of stuff we'd want to change - these are just a few examples.
I understand we'd need permission for these sort of changes but what is people's experience with getting it?
Is there a sizeable fee to the council every time you want to do something or is this something they can do relatively cheaply?
Are they generally receptive to activities like this, as long as they're done sympathetically and in-keeping with the age/area of the property or will they push back for the sake of justifying their job, like the planners do?
How much limitation would they normally put on the method of achieving internal changes (e.g. no gypsum based plaster, only lead paint, etc...)?
The million dollar question is - if you've had experience of doing major renovations in a Grade 2 listed house, would you do it again or stay well clear?
I don't want to commit to a "forever home" and then spend the next 10 years fighting the council to get it to how we want it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Phil
We're looking to move house (upsizing) and have a fairly decent budget. Our search area is pretty limited by a number of factors and the only potential properties that fit the requirements are all Grade 2 Listed.
None of them are perfect and would need some work to get them to our requirements. For example, one of them is an 8 (!!) bedroom house which really needs some internal walls moving around to make fewer larger bedrooms - some with ensuites etc. It has a considerable outbuilding suitable for a workshop, but this has an open front so would need doors adding for security. The garden is almost entirely very old block-style paving which isn't entirely suitable for kids playing out - some grass would be nice. There's plenty of stuff we'd want to change - these are just a few examples.
I understand we'd need permission for these sort of changes but what is people's experience with getting it?
Is there a sizeable fee to the council every time you want to do something or is this something they can do relatively cheaply?
Are they generally receptive to activities like this, as long as they're done sympathetically and in-keeping with the age/area of the property or will they push back for the sake of justifying their job, like the planners do?
How much limitation would they normally put on the method of achieving internal changes (e.g. no gypsum based plaster, only lead paint, etc...)?
The million dollar question is - if you've had experience of doing major renovations in a Grade 2 listed house, would you do it again or stay well clear?
I don't want to commit to a "forever home" and then spend the next 10 years fighting the council to get it to how we want it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Phil
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