Derelict house in middle of field. Planning?!

[pilsbury]

Getting tired of living in an urban environment and want to move away….. well away into the countryside with no neighbours!

In my search for an ideal property, I’ve found a derelict house for sale, with a tree growing inside it, in the middle of a couple of acres surrounded by woods and fields. I’ve had a variety of hearsay advice ranging from “there’s a building there so you can build something similar” to “as it’s been empty for many years, it’s lapsed it’s residential status so it’s now just like applying for planning in a field - no chance”.

It falls in Shropshire council which is a shame - seems like pre planning advice which is a 30 minute video call is gonna be £500. A shame because neighbouring Telford and Wrekin council do a free 15 minute call.

It’s really early stages and I just want a simple - Planning permission is likely to be granted if I’m sympathetic in renovation or new build or I’ve not got a hope in hells chance of getting it…. I can then move on to something less extreme. It may be telling that it does not have planning permission on the particulars.

Any ideas on how to get this basic info without half a grand down the swanny? I’ve been twisting my melon on planning portals and articles and have been trying to make permitted development class ZA fit!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Read the Local Plan, that should tell you what areas can and can't be developed for housing.

 

[Notch7]

with a tree growing inside it

does it have a TPO?

 

[pilsbury]

Read the Local Plan, that should tell you what areas can and can't be developed for housing.

I did read a previous post you made suggesting this would be the first port of call for any planning consultant. I have tried to find this on Shropshire council website and found some plan policy maps…. It’s a mineral safeguarding area is all I can ascertain. I’m not looking to open a mine just yet.

Am I looking at the right thing? Direction for an imbecile is appreciated

 

[pilsbury]

.

 

[pilsbury]

does it have a TPO?

I can see this sort of thing stopping a build!

 

[securespark]

It seems absolutely nuts, but what was allowed to be built 50+ years ago may not be allowed now. Also, look at listed buildings, even if the bloody thing is virtually about to crumble, you have to jump through hoops and follow strict guidelines about what you can and can't do in rebuilding it. Yet if you left it to completely fall down naturally...

Also, somebody walking their dog reported me to the council when I was chopping down a conifer I planted a few years ago. Some "council" guy came sniffing round with a clipboard demanding my details, saying something about a TPO. I asked him if I had broken any laws and if he could prove I had, then I would give my details, but only to the relevant authorities (this guy turned up in jeans and a coat with no ID). I never heard anything else about it.

 

[pilsbury]

It seems absolutely nuts, but what was allowed to be built 50+ years ago may not be allowed now. Also, look at listed buildings, even if the bloody thing is virtually about to crumble, you have to jump through hoops and follow strict guidelines about what you can and can't do in rebuilding it. Yet if you left it to completely fall down naturally...

Also, somebody walking their dog reported me to the council when I was chopping down a conifer I planted a few years ago. Some "council" guy came sniffing round with a clipboard demanding my details, saying something about a TPO. I asked him if I had broken any laws and if he could prove I had, then I would give my details, but only to the relevant authorities (this guy turned up in jeans and a coat with no ID). I never heard anything else about it.

The estate agent said it was not listed, which is a bonus.
I’m trying to find info out, searching this Local Plan thingy, but finding it hard to extract info I need to confirm….
It’s a shame really as this plot is either worth the £10-20k per acre as a field, or hundreds of thousands as a beautiful house plot. They have it listed for the latter and buying it without knowledge I can build would be the end of me financially! I’d be homeless but have a lovely place to sit and cry!

 

[clifford1]

There's a useful discussion here:

When is derelict really derelict?

Hi, I'm interested to know if anyone has any idea if there is a formal definition of derelict in planning law? By that I mean, is there a test that attempts to define when, say, a dwelling has become derelict and would therefore require planning permission to reinstate its use as a dwelling again...

forum.buildhub.org.uk

One fundamental question seems to be when was it last occupied?

 

[pilsbury]

I had read the post mentioned above. All very interesting but not really what I wanted to hear. Leads me to think of flogging a dead horse. This property I’m interested in has not been lived in for either 50years or since 1950 - my misses can’t remember exactly what was said, but either way it’s over half a century! Plus it has a tree growing in it….. I’m posting the listing here, just so you can see why I’m very taken with this plot and feel I want to “explore till I’m sure”. If I could reinstate/rebuild similar, this is kind of what I’d imagine perfect for me. Don’t all start a bidding war now…. It could be a very pricey field for a horse.

Apley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire Plot for sale - £400,000

Balfours - Ludlow present this Plot for sale in Apley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire

www.onthemarket.com

 

[helplessowner]

The advert says it is part of the Willey Estate, so you could try asking the estate owners if they have any information.
https://willeyestates.co.uk/
It could be that the land itself is considered as agricultural/forestry, which would be another hoop to jump through, apart from being part of a managed estate which will probably have it's own restrictions. Although there could be a plus side with their help if they want the building redeveloped to residential.

 

[pilsbury]

The advert says it is part of the Willey Estate, so you could try asking the estate owners if they have any information.
https://willeyestates.co.uk/
It could be that the land itself is considered as agricultural/forestry, which would be another hoop to jump through, apart from being part of a managed estate which will probably have it's own restrictions. Although there could be a plus side with their help if they want the building redeveloped to residential.

I have kind of already contacted them through the estate agent. I asked some basic questions like if there was any planning permission (no) and if there were any restrictions or covenants (no) and if the land was freehold (yes). One thing that did however ring some alarm bells was there website boasts how they have renovated properties and have them for sale or rent….. why not this one?
Perhaps I should be more specific with the estate agent to get more info from the Willey Estate…

 

[blup]

Getting tired of living in an urban environment and want to move away….. well away into the countryside with no neighbours!

In my search for an ideal property, I’ve found a derelict house for sale, with a tree growing inside it, in the middle of a couple of acres surrounded by woods and fields. I’ve had a variety of hearsay advice ranging from “there’s a building there so you can build something similar” to “as it’s been empty for many years, it’s lapsed it’s residential status so it’s now just like applying for planning in a field - no chance”.

It falls in Shropshire council which is a shame - seems like pre planning advice which is a 30 minute video call is gonna be £500. A shame because neighbouring Telford and Wrekin council do a free 15 minute call.

It’s really early stages and I just want a simple - Planning permission is likely to be granted if I’m sympathetic in renovation or new build or I’ve not got a hope in hells chance of getting it…. I can then move on to something less extreme. It may be telling that it does not have planning permission on the particulars.

Any ideas on how to get this basic info without half a grand down the swanny? I’ve been twisting my melon on planning portals and articles and have been trying to make permitted development class ZA fit!

Don't waste your money on pre application advice, you need to first establish if legally the housing use has been abandoned. If there is a tree growing through the roof that seems likely. Do you know when it was last lived in?

 

[catlad]

Only needs a lick of paint and some weed killer although it might not be so idyllic when HS2 comes rolling past!

 

[pilsbury]

Either 50 years ago or 1950. My misses can’t remember exactly what the agent told her. But you get the idea, bloody ages ago!