Buy adjacent property and connect

[Cellomusic]

Hi
We own outright our house and are interested in purchasing our neighbour's property (non-attached). We share a driveway and so would be interested in then connecting the 2 properties perhaps either via rear single-storey room or some sort of archway over the drive (which would be in-keeping with a feature like this on some neighbouring properties). Is this even possible, do you know of anyone who has done it? Obviously some sort of planning permission would be needed. We find lots of threads about knocking through to the other half of a semi, but what about attaching 2 neighbouring houses?
Thanks in advance.

Sorry, just to add. We'd buy the adjacent house in cash. So this isn't a mortgage question but a practical/architectural/planning question. Cheers! :)

Generally the creation of a single dwelling from two does not require PP in itself because all works are usually internal.

Your idea would require PP because although extensions can be built as permitted development, and therefore not require PP, such extensions have to be within the curtilage of the dwelling to which the extension is attached. You are proposing an extension which would cross the boundary of both properties in order to create the single property, and therefore would not be within the curtilage of a single dwelling.

Whether the Council would view an application favourably will depend on the policies contained within their Local Plan. They will be concerned about the visual impact of the extension, its impact on the street scene, and on neighbouring properties.

They may also be concerned about the loss of a dwelling if it is of type that is specifically required within the area (sometimes 'small dwellings' are protected).

I have to say in over 30 years of working in planning I don't think I have come across such a proposal!

Thanks Seeline. So helpful! I think it is an unusual situation. Our arrangement over the shared driveway is also unusual on our street - we are the only 2 houses to share such a driveway... so probably the only 2 where this could be an option anyway.
Do you think the council would be able to give a general opinion before applying for formal PP? It feels like the sort of thing that you probably can't get permission for to be honest because it is so unusual.
From our side, we actually currently have PP for a 2 storey rear extn which we have not yet started work on. In the meantime this possible option has arisen and it would cost about the same and be a lot more space. Of course the flow of rooms might be unusual but it seems like it has to be worth mulling over as an idea at least!
I guess me and DH could always each live in a neighbouring house and visit each other for dinner 😂

Most Councils operate a Pre-application process where you can get their views prior to submitting a formal application. They do usually charge for this, and there is no guarantee that PP would actually be forthcoming, even if they say it should be ok (they obviously don't undertake the statutory consultations etc for a Pre-application).

Have a look on the planning pages of the council website - there should be details there.