2536 Its a shame

What can be done to circumvent the planning laws when they are so restrictive(or so restrictively applied) that a delapidated house registered for habitation cannot be enlarged in any way to allow it to be of any use to a prospective purchaser? A family of ten may have been quite happy living a hundred years ago in forty square meters but not today. Have seen so many houses that will continue to remain unused and rot into the ground.
Its a shame.
John and Liz Collis

Category
General chat about Italy

[LEFT]Yes very valid point, providing that any enlargement is done tastfully. Unfortunately I have noticed that many Trulli in puglia have had Lamia additions which have not been designed to take on the charm of an old Trullo but I think the laws are tightening up as long as they don't go to the extreme and say no to anything. Far too many beautiful buildings all around Italy will be lost forever. Like most things in life it's finding a compromise[/LEFT]

It certainly is a shame. As you say houses that have been empty for years now have the chance to be brought back to life and the planning committees say no!
I served on planning since 1988 and we were only too pleased to see old properties turned into nice comfortable homes. However, here in Italy, just down the road from me is a monstrosity, they have built another storey on top of the house , and now cannot finish it. They have also built a boat house in the garden ( about the same size as my house ).
Meanwhile I was told that I could not have an outside toilet ( for when we have summer garden parties) or build a small car port.
I found out that the guy who had been granted all this planning permission was on a committee at the commune.
On the contrary in the UK councillors were not given priority, but had to have more stringent investigation than other residents, when asking for planning consent.

Pamela Catalano

often the problem is the house or ruin has been left to several family members...none can agree over price ...etc...and so its just languishes