Finding very old planning applications

Squoozy

We are selling a property in Cornwall and have accepted an offer. The buyers' mortgage lender wants proof of the date of an old extension in order to rule out mundic. When we bought the property 6 years ago we were given a document granting planning permission for an extension in 1975 (well after mundic was used) but it has no other details. There is only one extension, so the document we have was considered fine when we bought the house, but the buyers mortgage lenders are not happy with the document and want further proof of the date of the extension. The original planning permission was granted by Carrick District Council but the councils have now merged to form Cornwall Council.

Cornwall Council can do a search (for a hefty fee) but we are wondering if the search would reveal any more that the normal searches carried out by solicitors, in which case we already have all the information available. . Does anybody know the answer to this question? Our solicitor just keeps repeating that the buyers should just do a mundic test, but we really want to resolve this issue if we can.

Doozergirl

You should able to access their microfiche yourself - and not incur such a fee as you can search for the relevant documents yourself, rather than paying someone. You can make an appointment. You'll want both Planning and Building Control records, whatever they have, on the house.

I've done the same with merged councils. It was fine, I just had to go to a specific building.

davidmcn

By "further proof of the date of the extension" do you mean they want the drawings etc submitted with that application in order to verify that it refers to the same extension? Or something else? The papers ought to be available in the council's archives, though will sometimes go missing (particularly where there has been reorganisation of councils).

Even if available, the council won't necessarily allow any copies to be made (for copyright reasons), so whoever wants to verify it may need to personally visit and look at the papers (or trust somebody else to do it for them).

Squoozy

Thank you both for your replies. The solicitor and estate agent are both very unclear exactly what it is the mortgage lenders are wanting but I suspect it’s more detailed plans or proof that the extension for which there is planning permission is the same extension, and therefore was built in 1975. There are no details in the document, it just says permission is granted for an extension, parking area, and removal of some trees.

I will call the council tomorrow to ask about looking for the information via microfiche myself. That’s a very useful tip, thank you. I will also check about whether it will be possible to get copies. I have a strong suspicion the plans have been lost but even building control information will be helpful.

Doozergirl

You will be able to capture and print off the microfiche, no problem .