Should i move?

[Bluethrough]

I ve been left a house in a lovely area, outstanding views, large, lots of garden..... but it needs shed loads of work, infact knocking down and restarting would be realistic but i wouldn't do that, as i was bought up there!
Equally, i live in a place i've been in for 22 years, needs some work but it suits me, its quite a bit noisier than the inherited house, due mainly to a nr by private golf course, though most people don't notice it, i do!!

But now i ve had an offer, it would be enough to retire on (no mortgage) and do up the "new" place. Trouble is my place has significant development opportunities on land i also own and the new buyer will not agree to any overage if its developed, i can't afford to try and get planning.

Any advice from MN ?

I would move. You'd have enough to retire on and do up your new home...so worrying about missed investment ops seems silly.

I’d be seeing pound signs and wouldn’t pass up on the development opportunity. Can you really not find that bit of money to get planning approved and sell with planning?
Is the price agreed on your house above what the house would be worth without development potential?

Even if i got planning, it would blight the sale of my own property until all done wouldn't it?
Plus there are substantial costs for a developer to clear the area (old farm sheds)
I suppose if i had planning for 2 houses plus my own place and potential for a small barn conversion, it would be worth a lot more than the offer i have had, which is the only firm one i ve had in 2 months (due to the sheds) but i really haven't the money to do any of this.

I'm also quite attached to the area (Cornwall)

I think you’ve answered your own question. It just sounds like you want to live in the other place and don’t want the hassle and the expense of sorting out a planning permission on the current place. Makes sense to stick to what you’d set out to do, proceed with the sale and move to the other property.