Planning Permission

[Shimby]

My wife and I are looking at the viability of purchasing a property in Normandy or Brittany with an outbuilding that we'd convert into a Gite.

However, in most cases likely properties do not have planning permission for this change of use from, say, a barn into a gite.

How receptive are the French authorities to this sort of venture? Would we be likely to obtain permission in a rural (non-coastal) area? Finally, is it feasible to apply for permission before the property is purchased?

Any help for two novices to this would be very much appreciated!

[Will]

From our own experience I think you would be more likely to get approval in a non-coastal area - many of these still want to encourage more tourism while most of the popular coasts are over-provided.

It does, however, depend almost entirely on the individual maire and his/her council. In some communes it can be very difficult to get permission for any barn change of use, because the locals consider that enough agricultural land and buildings have been lost already.

When you find a place you fancy there are two things you need to do.

Ensure that the compromis de vente includes a clause suspensive which makes the sale conditional on you receiving a CU (certificate d'urbanisme, equivalent to outline permission for change of use) - if you make your intentions clear to the agent through whom you buy they should take care of this for you.

Also ask the agent, or better still visit the mairie of the commune in which you intend to buy, and find out what the local policy is on gite conversions. If you find out at the beginning that these are likely to be refused, it will save a lot of aggravation later on. But you are equally likely to be welcomed with open arms by a very helpful maire pleased to bring more trade to his community - until you ask you won't know.

Will (50)