Conveyancing planning issues with listed Cambridge building

Having been informed that her clients were buying a thatched cottage, it did not come as a surprise to their Conveyancer when she found during the Conveyancing in Cambridge that the property was a Grade II listed building.

The residence was just outside Cambridge, in the village of Linton, Cambridge, CB21, and had been marketed for the sellers by Bidwells of Stonecross, Trumpington High Street, Cambridge CB2 9SU.

Idyllic Cottage Conveyancing in Cambridge

Living in an old country cottage is many people's idea of heaven, but when the home is also a listed building, unauthorised alterations can quickly turn the new buyer's life into a costly hell.

Conveyancing Solicitors undertaking Conveyancing in Cambridge of such properties will ensure that necessary consents have been obtained for any works completed by the sellers. Buyers must also be advised about the restrictions they will have to observe once they have bought the property.

The local search which Labeeba obtained from South Cambridge District Council, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6EA confirmed that the cottage was listed, and also revealed details of various planning applications, including some that had been refused.

In particular an application for a swimming pool enclosure had been turned down, but consent had been granted in 2006 for the replacement of the kitchen floor and removal of a lobby on the ground floor, together with the installation of partitions on the first floor landing to create a shower room and toilet. There was also a preservation order relating to some mature trees in the grounds.

Listed Buildings - consent required for demolition of outbuildings

When a building has been listed, the listing includes not only the house itself but the surrounding grounds, including any outbuildings and walls. This means that special planning approval may be required for the alteration or demolition of subsidiary parts of the property even if they are of no architectural significance. In one case that included an ugly pre-cast concrete garage which was in the grounds of a medieval grange!

The Conveyancing Solicitors handling the Conveyancing in Cambridge for the sellers were Thomson Webb and Corfield of 16 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1HE. Labeeba asked them for copies of the various approvals so that she could check they were all in order. Once she had received them she was able to confirm to her clients that everything was satisfactory, and the purchase was soon finalised.

The buyers phoned to say they were delighted with their new home, and were grateful to Labeeba for making sure that they would not have any problems with the local council over the works carried out by the sellers. Get a quote from Fridaysmove now for fast Conveyancing in Cambridge.