Planning permission refused and indemnity

Section62

Walrus_NK said:

There was no enforcement action at the time, so the build has sat happily for over 40 years. Bizarrely, the regulation certificates (for the windows etc) are all in check, just not the plans. We've had an indemnity drawn up that states the refusal of permission is part of the insurance, so I think we're covered... We've not been able to see the original plans (from the 80s) and are unable to do so as it voids the indemnity if we approach the council about the build. A surveyor has said the build is structural sound, so the refusal is likely down to either being a touch too wide or a neighbour complaint (who then moved away). 

How did you confirm there had been no enforcement action at the time?

It is likely only the council would know (and then possibly only by looking in their deep-archived files) so if you haven't asked them (i.e. so you don't void any indemnity) then there is a risk (albeit probably quite small) that enforcement remains a possibility even after all this time.