Planning permission and building regulations

This chapter focuses on investigating the status of planning permission and Building Regulations approval in respect of the property being acquired. For the buyer’s solicitor, the reasons for verifying the status of these matters are twofold: First, to check that the land as it currently stands has all the relevant permissions. If it doesn’t, the buyer will take on liability for any breach of planning or building control. Second, the buyer’s solicitor will need to make sure that upon acquisition of the land, the buyer will be able to do with the land what it plans to. It is important that the buyer is informed as to any permissions it is likely to need to obtain before acquiring the land. This chapter begins with an examination of the planning permission rules, followed by a detailed analysis of: things already done on the land which could constitute a breach and how to deal with this; and requiring planning permission for future activities and how to go about obtaining this. This chapter is relevant to all freehold and leasehold Transactions.