Hoping to build on a burnt down footprint.

[Sarah Cornish]

Hi

We are in the process of buying a plot of very overgrown land off a family members estate ,it had a holiday chalet built in the 1940s on it but it was burnt to the grown unfortunately some years ago by squatters.We want to rebuild and bring the plot back to its former glory.We live in Devon what do you think the best way forward is apart from clear the overgrown garden which is waist high in brambles etc. Do you need planning permission to remove all trees from a plot or just boundaries there are some very small trees which have grown in the garden which was nature’s way of claiming it back ! What our our chances of getting to rebuild on the footprint ? We have never done anything like this before it’s all a little scary.

Look forward to any help.

[SteamyTea]

Welcome

 

Are you hoping to reproduce the original building, or just use the original footprint.

 

Generally, as a rule, clear the plot of all plants and growth, this should not affect and CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) if it is applicable in the area.

If you stumble upon something rare or protected, it can old your build up for months, if not years, and cost a fortune.

It may be worth checking that there are no TPO (tree protection order), they can really mess up your design.

 

You will probably not be able to use the original foundation as it would not meet current regulations.

[Sarah Cornish]

Hi

Thank you we would just use the footprint it would need new foundations for sure as there is asbestos in the burnt out chalet which obviously need to be removed professionally 🙈.We can get a tree surgeon in to help thank you for the advice.

[MR10]

Clearing the plot should be fine but you may want to get planning permission for whatever it is you want to build before removing any of the existing structures. 

[DreamingTheBuild]

5 hours ago, Sarah Cornish said:

What our our chances of getting to rebuild on the footprint ?

 

There is a concept known as abandonment in planning, if it was burnt down a number of years ago then all rights may be lost. It is something your Conveyencer should check out.

 

If the chalet is said to have been abandoned then you are back to square one re planning unfortunately.

 

Are there services there??? I guess the chances will vary from nothing to some sort of camping related activity to a replacement chalet.

[Sarah Cornish]

Thank you yes I have heard of  abandonment in planning so will look into that.The plot was owned by some very old relatives who stopped going to it some years ago there was water and electric in the chalet so we have been told and a septic tank etc…in the over grown gardens. 

We are waiting to hear what the deeds say regarding the plot but family bought in the mid 1950s so we guess there may not be much information.
Would it be worth putting in pre planning application before we bought it ?

 

[Conor]

I wouldn't bother clearing anything until you start building. A digger will clear as much in 30mins as you would have done with hand tools in a day.

 

41 minutes ago, Sarah Cornish said:

 

Would it be worth putting in pre planning application before we bought it ?

 

 

Don't think that applies in this case, would be going straight for full planning.