Getting planning permission to go from commercial to residential, how hard is it.

[twinsetandpearls]

Property near is currently a B and B up for sale but says on the blurb with permission could be a residential home.

Is this a relatively straighforward process? Am wondering why in a slow market they have not secured this permission if it is that easy.

I think with a B&B, yes, it would be fairly straightforward because it was obviously someone's residence as well as a business. If it were a warehouse or a shop, it would be much harder. Talk to the planners - unless there is a critical shortage of tourist accommodation in your area, they will probably be OK. I would say that buying a B&B could be more expensive than buying a "normal" house though.

PS: I don't want to prick your bubble, but shouldn't you wait for an offer on your house first..?

If you couldn't get consent, surely you could just refuse to take bookings and use it as a home. Is there any clause saying you have to have so many guests a year to stay?

It could well be that the current owners want to convert back to residential but have been told they must provide evidence of marketing it for its current commercial use before residential is considered. (Does that make sense!)
I would check your local councils planning applications just in case there is more information there

No we are not going to put in an offer or anything. So no bubble to be burst I was just wandering as it seems so cheap.

If the advert says could be a "residential home" this wording usually means a residential as opposed to nursing home for older people. Don't imagine you would have any difficulty with getting B&B back to normal residential - you do not need planning permssion at all for B&B up to four bedrooms. Suggest you get more information from the agents who will presumably know what they had in mind.