Searches

RacyRed

Hi,

I'm searching for a new home on a limited budget (If I cannot afford to pay cash I cannot afford the house - determined to be mortgage free in future).

The homes that are attracting me tend to be rural ones that back onto fields or open spaces, it has become apparant that having a view is my most important requirement.

I've found a few properties which might suit me but, before I even view them I want to check out the status of the land they overlook.

Is there a way of finding out the likelihood of development for particular plots of land?

I'm aware that I can never be completely certain but would like to do as much homework as I can before making an offer.

Thanks for all sensible suggestions.

G_M

Your local planning dept will tell you if the land is green belt, conservation area etc. Also whether there is planning permission granted.

Most P depts are helpful if you go in for a chat though you'll still need formal searches to get it in writing formally later.

Whether you do this before viewing properties or only once you found a property you like after viewing is up to you.

RacyRed

G_M wrote: »

Your local planning dept will tell you if the land is green belt, conservation area etc. Also whether there is planning permission granted.

Most P depts are helpful if you go in for a chat though you'll still need formal searches to get it in writing formally later.

Whether you do this before viewing properties or only once you found a property you like after viewing is up to you.

Thanks for that. I want to search as much as I can beforehand.

Last month I very nearly got caught out buying a home in an area which appeared to have no major planning applications outstandng, only for the local planning office to be over-ridden when a previously rejected planning application for a large onshore wind farm was approved nationally.

Does anyone know if large scale rejected planning applications also be checked please?

G_M

Your local planning dept is till a good bet. They will know if a rejected application has been appealed nationally and is pending.

A formal written search (as done by your solicitor) will not reveal this, but a chat to the planners can reveal a lot more!

Richard_Webster

The local search will not give you the information you want but a Plans Search or Know Your Neighbour Search (different search companies have different names for essentially the same thing). These searches are no infallible as they can't predict the future and may not be completely up to date - but for the cost - about £40 - they may reveal applications/permissions that you would not otherwise know about.

If nothing comes up from that then go and talk to the Council Planning Department to check there is nothing else in the pipeline.

Council Planning Department can only interpet their own policies and they may find that something they refuse is overturned and allowed on appeal.

Although building work usually does need planning permission (except some agricultural buildings) you should also appreciate that some changes in activity do not require permission, e.g methods of delivery to/from existing commercial premises. You could have an innocuous light industrial building making widgets and a couple of times a day a small van draws up and loads up the widgets and drives off - you don't notice it. Then they change their deliveries and twice a week at 5am a juggernaut makes a lot of noise reversing down a sideway. They are still making widgets and the planning use hasn't changed but you get woken up twice a week!

delmar39

You could also look at the HIP relating to the property or properties you're interested in. This will show the result of searches and the seller is obliged to note down any objections they have made in relation to planning issues. Just another part of the jigsaw for you to consider.

RacyRed

Thank you all for your very helpful replies, I'll spend time getting to know the planning departments and also have a look at the searches suggested by Richard Webster.