Swimming pool licences

[ceh]

About 3 months ago, I made an offer on a property which was accepted. Progress hasn't been quick and I've not yet signed the Promissory Contract. Late in the day, it turned out that the property hasn't got a licence for the pool which appears to me to have been constructed at the same time as the property ie about 20 years ago.

I see from the FAQs that where people are applying for licences to build pools, it can take 1 or even 2 years to get the licence.

The vendors' solicitors are proposing that we proceed but with a retention of some of the money pending the licence being sorted out.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's taken this route (which obviously has risk attached to it if the licence can't be obtained). Do licences for existing pools take as long as for new pools?

thanks in anticipation

Caroline