Pre-planning advice

[User415373]

Hi,
This is my first time on this thread and I am as clueless as I sound!
We're not looking to move at all, but have been offered first refusal on a house we love. It's not on the open market.
The problem is, it's too small for us (family of 4) and we'd only buy if we knew we could extend.
My local council provide a pre-planning service, but it's not clear whether you need drawings or not. I don't know whether they can advise on what we could/couldn't have, max size, style etc or whether we need to get a design and plans drawn up (extra £££), just for them say, no chance?
We'd need to do this before we agree to buy and then put our house on the market. But equally don't want to keep the current owner waiting for a long time. Any advice appreciated!

Thanks seeline
Tbh I did think the local council were being over strict in that regard
Its not something I’ve seen here in the SEast as a planning requirement
I don’t deal with permitted development ( aware of the general stuff obvs) just planning

So better news for OP in that regard !

Thanks everyone. I take the point on not relying on precedent but down the road is a tiny cottage that doubled in size last year. Reading the planning docs sounds like they had to use materials the same as the original house etc which is all fine. Their architects are listed on there - I wonder if it's worth contacting them as they have experience in the local area.
I'm finding this hard as we're feeling very town. We have a large beautiful Victorian 4 bed at the moment with extra reception room, cellar recently refurbed and great for guests, new kitchen etc. In a small town and we can walk to school, shop, pub etc. But small garden and on a main road.
Both me and my DH lived in the sticks when younger and loved it. The cottage has a lovely big garden and would give us that lifestyle of growing veg, chickens etc. I think I'm romanticising it all though. School would be a 10 minute drive.
It's in excellent condition and has a lovely new handmade kitchen etc. We wouldn't need replace it or the bathroom which is also beautiful. Ij my head we can extend, and the living space and extra bedroom and then knock the walls through when it's 'done'.
But we have renovated 2 houses ourselves and both have taken years and years. I've told my husband if we do this, we need to release enough equity to pay for external contractors rather than doing it all ourselves with full time jobs and 2 children. But that's obviously much more £££. But I can't wait years and live in a building site while the children are small.
I feel very fortunate to have all I have and to be in this situation, but it doesn't make choosing any easier.