Clayton

Thanks It was 7 years ago

I was just saying hello as instructed. I've posted my question in the planning forum.

Our building is a block of flats in a conservation area, we all own share of freehold and self-manage the building. 7 years ago we removed a small side chimney stack above the roof line only, as it was letting in water. It was just a small stump, the original having been reduced at some unknown point in history. Flats have been bought and sold since then, but the last time a flat was sold the seller mentioned the chimney to his solicitor and queries were made. Turns out in a conservation area you need permission to remove a chimney stack (even if only above the roofline). The buyer bought the flat anyway as we said we'd deal with it in future. Is there any way we could avoid having to apply for planning permission or do we have no choice? We suggested to the new owner that if it's never mentioned again, nobody would really care, but she's nervous of it coming up again if she ever sold her flat. I don't see how it could if she used a different solicitor for example. The chimney was just a side one, not the main central one. Other buildings the same as ours in the area have also had their side chimneys removed. We're happy to apply if totally necessary, but I just wanted to know if I'm missing a simple way to avoid it. Many thanks Clayton

Hi I'm Clayton living in London looking for advice about retrospective planning permission