Planning varies from district to district Jo. And who you know
Here in the Lower Alentejo, we're not allowed more than one floor, out in the sticks. Unless your name is Manuel and you own half of Ourique, in which case you build a stonking great house, for week-end and party use and a double storey chapel for your mum to worship in
And live above a shop during the week.
Where that particular house is, I would imagine - after the architect and engineer had had their say - the local planning bods would be pretty happy with whatever looked right and blend in. We don't have to re-use anything. Except in Tavira, where you have to keep the frontage and roof. You can do what you want inside, but they must stay the same. And they also have a say in the colour the house is painted.