2646 planning and building

The following is a a series of questions relating to planning and building.
I have taken a shine to a small two story house built between 1896 & 1945. It has three attached annexes, 1-2 Ha of land and a separate roofed pole barn with a garage built within its perimeter. After a conversation, in my very poor Italian, with the Comune Technico, it appears that the volume of the attached annexes (built post 1945) can be used to enlarge the small house (although only on the ground floor) and that the total floor space this provides can be used to calculate a 20% increase for a bathroom. The Technico also seemed to say that the post barn opposite the house can gain permission to build at the time of the next Condono. Questions relating to other planning matters posed to comunes, architects, and geometras have in the past have always been answered with a flat NO. I wondered whether I have heard correctly or that possibly the Technico is being too optomistic. I suspect I am required, at an early stage to hire a Geometra to make the application on my behalf ----- but some opinions ahead of that time on these planning matters would be useful.
I am familiar with the planning process in the U.K but far less so in Italy. Can anyone give me a step by step overview of the application process, payments and taxes relating to the conversion and extension of the property I have been speaking about.
I have always intended doing my own building and restoration work, as I am a builder of over 20 years experience, but I have been worried by the comments of a local developer (who probably has his own protectionist agenda), who tells me that I would have to register here as a builder. Considering I have no formal qualifications in the U.K this would be difficult. I have assumed that having the work overseen and checked by a competant Geometra as well as the Comune, and using qualified tradesmen when nesessary, that no problems would arise. Surely the Italian authorities can not be so Draconian in there approach to Fai Di Te?
One last question---- on the subject of Condonos. How does it work? When is the next one? Do they come around regularly like leap years or Haley's comet? Do they occur on a national level, at the time of new goverments or popes, or do they also occur at Regional and Provincial level?