Plan Search

emmylou

Hi

I am in the process of instructing solicitors and completing their forms.

They are offering an additional 'plan search' which costs an extra £30. As far as I can tell this is something I can do pretty easily by checking the local planning website which shows current and past planning applications.

I can't see what else the solicitors could discover unless they are using a crystal ball to learn about future ones!

Please can anyone comment on whether I am thinking correctly or not? It is not something I am particularly worried about with the property I am purchasing anyway.

Thank you :-)

Emma

davidmcn

Are you taking out a mortgage? If so then the solicitors can't just take your word for it that you've checked.

SmlSave

A plan search is an optional extra, not a requirement like the local land search.

It is truly up to you whether you get it.

emmylou

Hi

Thank you both for your reply.

davidmcn - I am not referring to the land search which I will have

SmlSave - I know it is optional but I was wondering if it is anything more than I can do myself by visiting the planning portal of my local council's website (which is very comprehensive and user-friendly)? I suspect it is only the same thing but I wondered if anyone had purchased one of these searches and could tell me what it covers. As far as I can see, by looking at the council website, I can see all planning applications (past and current) for any area I choose.

Thank you :-)

chappers

ask your solicitor exactly what it involves and might turn up and their potential consequences of the results then decide if it's something you need or can do yourself

AlexMac

The Local Authority search should be enough in my view; I once got sold one of these (I think called something like 'Plansearch Plus' ) and all it contained was a load of the bleedn obvus including every planap since the year dot, local schools, Ofsteds, shops, libaries, crime stats, etc... Cost a good lot more than £30 as well

I've never bothered since, although I've sometimes had to pay for environmental searches to satisfy lenders

emmylou

Thanks both of you.

AlexMac that was my view. Thanks very much :-)

SmlSave

The solicitor I work for can't actually advise upon the plan search as their insurance doesn't cover it as they haven't specialised in planning.

As I understand it a plan search is a very good idea if there is any green/industrial space nearby.

Bourse is the company we use to do plan searches - why don't you look them up/contract them?

emmylou

Hi SmlSave

That's really useful, thanks. There is no green space at all close by and it is a mid terrace Victorian house. All the gardens are very small with access across them so I can't see that anyone could do anything other than perhaps convert their loft, which I don't have any issue with anyway. There are no current planning applications anywhere near and I can keep an eye on that anyway.
I just wasn't sure if the plan search covered any more than that.

I will check out the company you mention - thank you for that.

chappers

emmylou wrote: »

I can keep an eye on that anyway.
I just wasn't sure if the plan search covered any more than that.

I will check out the company you mention - thank you for that.

You may actually be able to do a better job yourself as you won't have time restrictions and can cast your net as far as you feel might have an effect on you rather than the area the company feels is of influence.