My House Query.

[kat-kin]

I put my house on the market last month and it sold straightaway. Some things need updating like new windows and a kitchen makeover so I sold to the highest bidder. I have a lot of ground front and side all grassed. My neighbours had a letter from the planning dept yesterday saying the buyer intends building a 4 bedroom house on the side and gave the link to read. It shows my house with the proposed house. Does this mean if I took my house off the market I could sell the land/garden? If I can then I will and get a house built. Any suggestion appreciated.

[Frankiejo]

You could still sell it to them with a condition added to the contract that if they get permission to build you get a percentage of the land value. That way you won't loose out and you won't have the hassle of trying to get full planning permission. You solicitor should advise you and an estate agent (not the one your using) would be able to give you a price on the land. Hope that helps.

[Maydup]

If you take the house off the market you will need to get the planning permission to build on the land before you will be able to sell the garden. No-one will want a piece of land unless it can be built on.

That will cost a reasonable amount of money in fees as you will need to design something to go on the plot. I suggest you do that and if it works fence off the land, sell your house and have the little house you're looking for built on the land.