A small sigh of relief...

Back in November last year we nearly bought a different house (La Vallee Tranquille). It was much the same as Saint's View in that it needed major work in order for it to be workable for us. We decided to back out because we were worried about getting permission to do the necessary work in a way that we'd like.
The people who bought it in the end applied for permission to extend and alter it in June. They've just heard that permission has been refused. We don't know what their plans were but I can't help be a little relieved that we decided against it.
Fingers crossed for our full permission - should be any day now.