How near is "nearby" when solicitors make local authority searches

dolmanster

I was told nearby was up to 800 metres, then someone else said 250 metre diameter, then only decided planning applications would show finally someone else said every planning application in that post code area? It's really confusing can anyone shed light please? 

The_Unready

Would it be easier to ask your solicitor what he/she does? I doubt if there's a one-rule fits all answer.

loubel

The local authority search will only show planning applications (granted or refused) for the property you are searching. Some will only show recent applications but others might go back decades. You can ask your solicitor to carry out an additional development search if you want to know the planning history of the surrounding area. Or you could look online by searching by postcode but this might miss some if the postcode didn't exist at the time of the application e.g. new developments.

user1977

The_Unready said:

Would it be easier to ask your solicitor what he/she does? I doubt if there's a one-rule fits all answer.

It's not the solicitor who "does" it, it's the provider of the search. So if it's from the local authority themselves, you'll need to check what their policy is.

But in reality, if you want to check planning applications, just do it yourself (instantly and for free) on the council's website.