Using previous architects plans

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased an old house which is in need of major renovation. The previous owner had planning permission to build a 2 story extension on one side of the property & a 1 story extension on the other side. The planning permission was valid for 5 years and has now expired. The previous owner never carried out any of the work. Can I use the same plans again when re-applying for the same planning permission or do I have to submit my own new plans.

You can base your submission on the old drawings, you’ll probably need to check that they meet current regulations and legislation and you would be advised to check with the original architect as the license to use these drawings may not have been transferred to you by the previous owners.

you would be advised to check with the original architect as the license to use these drawings may not have been transferred to you by the previous owners.

I’d check with the previous owner rather than the architect – if I was going to check at all.

It might also be worth speaking to the planning department to see if there is a way of reinstating the planning permission or if it can be fast tracked based on previous permission being granted.

as above – my first port of call would be talk to planning dept and see what the score with reinstating the permission previously given is.

You might still have to get architects permission to issue plans to a builder or whatever but no point talkign to architects until you need to.

Just take the architects title block off the drawing and put on your own. The old architect wouldn’t want to be liable for any issues that may arise.

Ok, thanks everybody. Just spoke with some woman at the planning department and she didn’t seem to have much of a clue. The main person that I needed to talk to wasn’t available and she tried to answer my questions as best she could. She told me that the original building didn’t even need to be structurally sound in order to get planning permission approved which seems strange. They were only interested if the design plans met with their approval, not the actual safety of the foundation structure. So in essence, the place could be ready to fall down but they would still consent to planning permission, strange.

they would still consent to planning permission, strange.

that’s ‘cos it’s building controls job to make sure stuff doesn’t fall down 😉

As above. Planning drawings are just pretty pictures. You need building control drawings to build from. These would have details on construction. Building control will normally ask for calcs from a structural engineer as well. Engineer may need to assess foundations.