Equity release is increasingly viewed as a way to supplement pensions, cover unexpected expenses, or simply maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
Geoff Barraclough, the council's cabinet member for planning and economic development, remarked that the owner showed a "complete disregard" for the historical significance of the property, alluding to a wider issue of accountability in planning regulations.
One of the most immediate benefits of going private is time. Private practices often offer same-day or next-day appointments and unhurried consultations.