Hi

We have seen a house that we would like to purchase, however it's too small
for us and would need to be extended. I have had a quick chat with the
local planning dept and they indicate that there are no immediately obvious
reasons why a planning application to extend the property would be blocked.
However the snag is that the plot has a slightly odd shape (curved boundary)
and I am now concerned that the extension I would like to do may just cross
over the boundary in one corner - that this is the case is not absolutely
clear and it is almost impossible to tell from the 1:1250 scale deed map
where the boundary actually is - on the ground there is no dividing fence
defining the boundary between the two plots, although it is clear that the
drive to the house crosses that line in places. We do not know who owns the
other plot. I believe the other plot lies outside of the village settlement
boundary, which implies that it cannot be built on (this would be very
difficult since it is mostly at about 45deg slope!)
I believe that planning application may be granted to build regardless of
plot ownership, so in principle I could cross the line in the absence of any
objection by the owner? However I presume I cannot build over the boundary,
because it is outside of the village settlement line? How do I go about
getting a definitive answer before I commit to the purchase?

Martin