Cost planning - core renovation of farmhouse / country house

Just looking for a nice, old farm, renovating it and then playing pony farm there doesn't exist in Germany. And if you understand the background a bit, that's a good thing too.

The hurdles regarding building permits in rural areas are the showstopper here. It’s not just complicated, it’s practically impossible. Just the idea is extremely naive. Not that I don’t wish it for , but that’s simply not how it works. Acquaintances have gone through exactly that process. They argued for years until the permit was granted, and in the end, the result was a mediocre compromise. However, it must be said that the father of the acquaintance owns one of the largest industrial companies in the town and is very well connected. Simply finding a nice, old farm, renovating it, and playing pony farm there doesn’t exist in Germany. And if you understand the background a little, that’s a good thing.

Did they demolish and rebuild, or renovate? I actually don’t quite understand the fuss when an existing building is brought into better condition. It’s already there anyway. Why does it bother the office if it consumes less energy in the future?

They first wanted to renovate, but the condition was so bad that everything except the basement and the foundation walls on the ground floor was rebuilt. You misunderstand. The problem is not the renovation but the use by non-farmers. The buildings were approved exclusively for operating an agricultural business. That is not so easily changed. A farmer who wants to take over may renovate and possibly even extend. But that requires an agricultural main occupation.

I actually don't quite understand the fuss when an existing building is brought into better condition. It's already there anyway. What does it matter to the office if it consumes less energy in the future?