property with land

stevie · Post by **stevie** » Tue May 08, 2007 11:57 am

my wife and I are wishing to buy either a ruin with land or land with planning consent in the algarve I am a builder by trade but wish to work land and build home for life .we look on sites every day and vist frends in algarve to view property but it is hard to find a honest answer to my questions about how easy or hard this it is to acheive any advise would be greatly appriciated

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Tue May 08, 2007 12:11 pm

Hi, when we first started looking for something in Portugal we also wanted to buy a piece of land or a ruin to remodel, after seeing many which we really liked and then started searches with the local Camera etc only to find out that either the land was only agricultural and you could not build on it (even though it was being sold as having permission for a villa) or the ruin could not be made as big as we would have wanted with the restrictions on size and the amount you are allowed to increase a ruin (will someone tell me how others do it? we have seen many ruins which were no bigger than a cow shed being turned into a huge villa, but when we enquired about doing this we kept on being told we could not increase the ruin by the amount we wanted???)

In the end we bought a run down house which we have, over three years, totally renovated.

Good luck in your search.

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:26 pm

I think that lesley has the right idea, As a UK builder you will probably NOT get all the necessary permits to build from Scratch in Portugal.
The liscence process can be tortuous and take up to two years in some areas.
We have discussed with our builder, modernising older properties but there is one downside to this, if in a popular location or good views the costs are not much less than a new build.
As ever its about location location.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:31 pm

Is it possible to build an additional property on land where there is an existing house or is this just not permitted ?

G

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Mon May 14, 2007 6:33 pm

Normally the project approval on a plot will specify the max area of a build.
If this is an older buildings/ruins you work within the existing envelope.

The " infill " type of development as seen in the UK is not as common.

But you can always try. but be prepared for a lengthy application process.

Nix · Post by **Nix** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:46 pm

Hi Steve.
Three years ago, we were in a similar position. My husband is a builder too. We moved out here, bought a piece of land and then went for permission.
We have been incredibly fortunate with our architect, he is extremely knowledgeable.
The whole process, from signing the contracts for the plot (with ruin) to gaining the permission and for the building work to begin took about two years.

Please feel free to get in touch if we can be of any help - take a look at our website too.

Nix

[url] http://www.casanova.me.uk/index.htm

SJ & RE · Post by **SJ & RE** » Tue May 15, 2007 7:42 am

Hi Nix,
Web site fab although a few piccies and info I could not retrieve

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:12 pm

Similar story, bought our plot March 2005, application made summer 2005.
After a bit if to ing and fro ing liscence granted May 2006. Plot cleared 12 months ago to the week.
Completion Octoberish ?.

The most frustrating part ai the application process and the lack of info.
Our builder actualy took us to the camara to look at our file and see how many stages it has to go through.

Back out again to morrow " can,t wait ".

Nix · Post by **Nix** » Sat May 19, 2007 11:40 pm

hi,
glad you liked the website - it's finished now, so you should be able to see all the photos.

Nix

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Tue May 22, 2007 7:31 pm

So just to be clear it is one house or dwelling per plot of land even though it is possible to establish another entrance point to the plot. I am considering buying a plot that has access from two different roads/lanes but at the moment there is only one small house on the rather large plot. I guess the neighboring properties would have to be consulted ?

G

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Tue May 22, 2007 8:18 pm

Please check out thoroughly that you will be able to build outside of the existing build envelope before proceeding.
( We fortunatlely have a very large piece of land behind ours which cannot have anything larger than the existing farmhouse built on it and it is just minutes from the centre of carvoeiro )
You may have to submit a project for approval ( lengthy and costly ) the neighbours views have little substance it is the council you will have to convince.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:48 am

Tks TBBR for your replies....

At this stage it is only an idea but I want to make sure it is viable without having to spend months ( years!) and bundles of cash on something that may be eventually kicked out. Secondly, call me old fashioned, but it would have to work for the neighboring properties aswell as the last thing I want is to end up in disputes with the houses that are situated nearby. I am only thinking in terms of two small houses to replace one of average size, but there would have to be two exits from the plot which may cause concern. I will continue with the research.

Many Tks

G

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:07 pm

Does anyone have a note of a friendy contact at the local Camara who is able to give a opnion on this subject ?

G

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